Here's to you 2014!

Oh 2014, where did you go? It seems like we were just getting acquainted and now you are gone. Starting tomorrow, I will be writing 2014 on everything and quickly erasing or marking it out. The struggle is real, folks.

Anyway, this year has been a good one. Jackson turned 1 in February and Lily turned 3 in June. It seems impossible to think they are going to be 2 and 4 in the new year. I might be in denial. It seems particularly surreal that Lily will officially be headed to preschool, her last school year at her beloved school. Jackson had his first trip (hopefully only, but given the clumsy nature of both of my kids, probably not...) to the ER in June when he had a wheezing spell. We had many adventures at the shore, the beach, and in the backyard. We took countless walks, played in the sandbox, drew chalk drawings, played with friends, made new friends, and had dance parties. We lived out the journey of 2014 as best we could.

And yet, we know we have so much more to offer in 2015. There are many more adventures to be had. More stones to overturn. More life to live. My brother and his fiancee will begin the road of wedding planning, which is really just the beginning of traveling a new life together, as an old married couple. I am so excited for them and their new chapter. A new year is big, and open, and scary, and thrilling. There is the anticipation of the fun to be had-- the friendships, the love, the laughter. There are so many possibilities in a new year.

I hope our world continues to heal. That we learn love and abide in peace. That we help our neighbor. That we give ourselves to hope.

Here's to you 2014. You added one beautiful chapter to my book. And, 2015, welcome. May you bring health, hope, and love.

A little look back...