Can you believe it’s already 2008?! How is it possible? We didn’t do anything fun to bring in the new year. We’re old folks, even though we’re only 20. Mark played too many video games to count, and I watched TV and worked on Savannah’s birthday invites (how is it possible that it’s time for THAT?). I did make it to see the clock turn midnight, but only because it takes forever for me to fall asleep :-/ What a way to bring in the new year, huh? I don’t even remember what I did last year, something equally boring I’m sure. I was a little over 7 months pregnant then, so I’m guessing by midnight I was fast asleep.

2007 has been quite a year with many milestones and proud accomplishments. The ending of a successful, full term pregnancy. The birth of our daughter February 22nd. Mark and I conquering the sleepless night, the yellow runny blowout diapers, the teething, the chicken pox, the many joyful moments when she learned something new, finding joy even when you think you just can’t take it any more. Discovering that we are made of A LOT and can do anything we put our mind to. Sticking with breastfeeding when I wanted to quit because it hurt so much those first few weeks, treasuring those special bonding moments, and feeling accomplished having made it to 10 months (sadly, breastfeeding is now ever. She lost interest, but that’s ok, we were ready). A first Easter, first beach trip, first Halloween, first Thanksgiving and first Christmas. Not just for Savannah, but for us as a family. A year of amazement at how fast time goes and how fast she grows with it. Another year of visits with Kaylee, watching her grow into a little girl, making connections about our adoption, and watching my Savannah and Kaylee interact.

Planning a wedding and finally becoming an official family May 19th. A wonderful honeymoon (and baby break!) with my husband at the beach. Mark getting an awesome internship for the summer that has lead to more. Myself breaking out of the house and getting a part time job for the summer, deciding to go back to school at last minute, going towards an English degree and getting straight A’s! Chopping my hair off. Mark doing equally well in school, despite a job and family to take care of. Us finding a church we love and people we connect with. Furthering my writing even more, and having my own website!

In short? It’s been a year that I define as a year that has shown what we are made of. We’ve had a lot of our plate, and we’ve done it all quite well. I’m proud of this year. Let’s hope this coming year is even better!

Our new year resolutions? Personally, I really want to get closer to God again (Mark needs this goal too…). I feel like something is always holding me back though, and I’m wondering if it’s my past. So, this year I’d like to connect with a counselor/therapist to dig those things out so I can leave it behind once and for all and move forward with Christ. Mark and I really want our family to be grounded in Christ, and for Savannah to see Him within us as she grows, but whenever we try to devote ourselves more to reading the Bible/praying it keeps falling through. What’s holding us back? WHY are other things more important than Him?

I also want to work on our marriage communication. We have too many petty arguments over nothing. We don’t have serious issues going on, but we want our marriage to last. I think dealing with these little thing now will help us in the long run from thing building and building into something bigger and scarier.

And of course, the usual goal of working out. Not to lose weight, I’m the opposite and need more weight. I do need to work this post-baby belly flab though. Mark could use a little working out, too.

Here’s to another year of growth, love, and writing. Happy New Year, folks! Here is our year in pictures: