2014 in review

2014... you were good to me.  

On December 31st, Byron and I laid in bed reflecting on the year, and I couldn't help but feel moisture in my eyes.  You were good to me, 2014.  

A few landmarks to our year--

* What began as an act of desperation, turned into the most revolutionary thing I'd ever done.  I began waking up at 6 AM (before my kids) every morning to read my Bible and spend time in the presence of the Lord.  I finally understood what people meant when they said God "spoke to them."  My year was filled with sweet conversations with the Him.  My time with the Lord was not so I could "then have a good day," it was simply the highlight of it.  As I tell people all the time: "after 7 AM, it is all downhill from there."

*  I also started, and finished, reading through the Bible in 2014.  What a journey that was!  (This is also a habit I plan on continuing for the rest of my life).

*  Sometime during the Spring, Byron (for the lack of a better word) 'lost' his job.  As the sole provider to our family, this was a very difficult journey for our little family.  Without going into too many details, I clearly remember the night, after about the nth argument over this situation, Byron told me:  "you need to trust me."  And that was that.  The Lord calls me to "submit to my husband" and to "submit to the Lord."  I submit to the Lord by submitting to my husband.  And what does He promise?  "To make our paths straight" (Proverbs 3:6).  I'll be clinging to that promise, if you don't mind.

* Fast forward a few months, and Byron is asked to join the family business.  BIG move for the hubby.  He leaves his career behind and goes into 'sales.'

* With the 'job situation' as a motivator, I finally took the plunge and began advertising myself as a private math tutor.  In June I had my first student, and since then I've had four others to worked with.  I've loved going back to my 'school-loving' roots, and brush up on my math skills.  I've also loved making 'good money' with it (which, of course, always comes as a perk).

*  The year also brought three 'deep wounds.'  One in the form of great distress and anxiety as I learned to adjust to life as a mother of two.  The second was a 'mild depression' that took place during the summer.  And the third came in the form of a 'hate event' that took place in the Fall.  It wasn't until I came across the song Blessings by Laura Story in December that I learned that all three of these 'wounds' were simply "mercies in disguise." 

*  I turned 30 years old and got my first smart phone.  All very mundane, but exciting none the less.

A sweet friend of mine (who is a professional wedding cake maker) gifted me with this (^) awesome cake to celebrate my special day.  I had a little party that I had long been anticipating, and was joined with about a dozen friend-couples, plus family.

*  I am not sure on the exact number, but I believe I read about 25 books this year.  My favorites:

Stepping Heavenward by Mrs. Prentiss

Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller

The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller

Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung

Trend Breakers by Kelly Westerfield 

Fit to Burst by Rachel Jankovich

* Sometime during the summer, I officially gave up leisure TV.  Nothing to get overly dramatic about, I simply decided that there were other things that were better worth my time (this is also how I probably got 25 books in).  I'll still watch some Downton Abbey, and a few TV shows or movies to spend some shoulder-to-shoulder time with the hubby, but that's about it.

*  We also began Bible verse memorization with Emma.  We used these cards.  We are now on the 'W verse,' and am blown away by the amount of Truth that we have stored not only in Emma's heart and mind, but in ours as well.

*  And finally, when the school year rolled around, I signed both kids up to their first Pre-K program, where they attend once a week for four hours in the morning.  This seems like such an obvious thing to do for most people, but for me it was a difficult decision to make, but one that I am so glad I did.  We've dearly enjoyed the school and their teachers.  I've enjoyed my mornings off where I refuse to do "anything that I have to," but instead use that time to do "anything that I want to."