So Long, 2014

And in the blink of an eye 2014 has come to a close.  I can't even begin to wrap my head around how quickly November and December went. As in, like, I still haven't blogged about the birthdays Kyle and I celebrated in November or the first Thanksgiving we hosted. No posts about any of the fun holiday festivities we've shared over the last month. But, that's OK because that is life right now and what better way to throw all of that into one post than with look-back over 2014.

2014. What a year of growth--personal growth, growth in my relationship with Kyle, growth in my relationship with the Lord and an overall strengthening of relationships with the people who truly matter to me. Kyle and I did a lot of work on ourselves and our relationship this year, and I am so thankful for that because we needed that strength in our relationship as we grieved such a devastating loss when I miscarried in September. I have had and continue to have some hard, real talks with God and am trying so hard to trust in His plan.

Which leads me to 2015. And how much I am patiently (well, that might be an overstatement) waiting for God's plan to be revealed. I don't know what this year will bring for me. I know what I hope it brings--And, I guess that's kind of the terror fun of a new year, right? We don't know what's going to actually happen. But, I do know that 2015 brings two (now possibly 3!) VERY exciting celebrations-- my best friend growing up will get married in March (and I am so excited to be her Matron of Honor), my brother is getting married in June, and my newly-engaged cousin might even be tying the knot at the end of the year. So, I'm choosing the "lots to look forward to" attitude as we approach this new year!

So, that's my spiel. Now for the recap:

January

Apparently January wasn't a very eventful month according to my iPhone, which is just fine for the beginning of the year! But, it is worth noting---our first snow of the year! Growing up in Wilmington meant snow falls were few and far between. I still act like a kid when it first snows. And then when I'm forced to drive on the icy remains I quickly remember why I'm so thankful I didn't have to deal with this much growing up!

February

February brought more snow (and lots of it!), a snowed-in Valentines day (loved getting the extra time with the hubs that day), and my childhood bestie, Kristen, asking me to be her Matron of Honor!

March

March was full of fun celebrations-- 1. My mom and aunt hosted a "Honey-do Shower" for my cousin Daniel and his fiancé, Kristen  2. Our best Durham friends had their precious baby girl, Teagan  3. My brother proposed to his girlfriend, Hanna, and we hosted a surprise post-engagement gathering  4. Kyle ran in his first 1/2 Marathon in Wilmington 5. We had the BEST trip to Seattle to visit my college bestie, Beebs', and her hubby, Brian's new home and explore that super fun city with them! I remember this month literally consisted of weekend-hopping from one fun thing to the next. And I loved it!

April

We slowed down for the month of April. My cousin, Kathleen's, precious daughter, Edith, was born on April 16th, and Kyle and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary the very next day on April 17th. We loved going to meet Edith and catch up with parents and sweet sister, Addison!

May

May was a month of weddings! We had such a fun trip to Asheville for my college friend, Anna's wedding, and we traveled to Pittsburgh for my cousin, Daniel's wedding. I loved the time with family and friends AND getting to explore two new places I'd never been!

June

June-- the start of Summer! I had lots of fun catching up with friends and got to meet my other college bestie, Ash's, sweet new puppy, Callie! We sadly said good-bye to my dad's brother, Jerry, in early June, but his death did bring the chance for us to gather in my dad's hometown and get to see my grandparents' graves and hear lots of stories that I wouldn't have otherwise heard.

July

July-- take me back to this month! We took a vacation with my family to Cabo, and it was such a dream come true and a perfect "last hoorah" for Kyle and me who were thinking we won't get to take a big, big trip again for a little while in hopes of having a good reason to direct our extra money elsewhere if you get my drift ;)

August

August was full of more celebrations, as we showered one of my high school besties, Ally, and her baby-to-be, sweet Anna Faith. We also found out that we were pregnant and had a whirlwind few weeks of trying to get back into the swing of things with school starting and trying to keep this big little secret! And, I was asked to be a bridesmaid in my brother and Hanna's wedding (and Kyle to be a groomsman), which we were very honored to, of course, say yes!

September

September-- the month that changed everything (or so it felt). We were having so much fun starting to tell those nearest and dearest to us about our sweet little blessing. Kyle traveled to New York on Labor Day weekend to visit his grandmother for the last time, and she passed away a week later. Our precious baby joined her in heaven shortly after, and the rest of September felt like a blur of pain, grief, and overwhelming sadness mixed in with a lot of love and kindness shown by others. By the end of the month we took some baby steps and attended a family wedding, which was our first social engagement since the loss. And, we honored our precious baby by planting a blueberry plant at my parents' home in Wilmington.

October

October was a month of moving forward. We tried to throw ourselves into lots of fun outings and gatherings. We loved visiting the pumpkin patch and getting to go to my teaching bestie, Lauren's, pumping carving party. One of the girls I used to lead in Bible study got married in Wilmington, so we enjoyed a trip back home and her wedding! We had our first date night to see Phantom of the Opera at DPAC, and Kyle's grandfather came down to visit, which was so very special.

November

November was a soul-restoring month for us. We got to spend two weekends at Figure 8-- 1 just the two of us and 1 with Kyle's family to celebrate his birthday. Time on this deserted beach was just what we needed. We also got to meet Ally's sweet baby girl, Anna Faith and decorated our first ever ginger bread house. I celebrated my birthday the week after Kyle's. And, we hosted Kyle's family for our very first holiday meal over Thanksgiving before traveling to VA to celebrate Thanksgiving with mine. Happy, happy memories.

December

And, then it was December! Bring on the Christmas caroling (with my family and home church in Wilmington), decorations, and holiday treats! I also spent an amazing weekend before Christmas in Charleston celebrating the bride-to-be, Kristen. I was so proud because I've never planned anything like this before and it turned out to be tons of fun! Kyle and I played Mary and Joseph for the Christmas play at my grandparents' old retirement home for the 3rd year in a row (such a funny experience!), and celebrated a wonderful Christmas with both families in Wilmington.

2014 was great year for me. It'd be easy to let the loss we suffered cast shadows over the rest of the year, but I refuse to do that. The loss made me a fighter-- a stronger and better person. And, it made me realize how rough times only make you appreciate the good times even more. And boy, were there good times this year!

So long, 2014. Cheers to 2015! Everyone have a safe and happy New Year's Eve!