2013 was a wonderful, wonderful year! My first year of marriage was so much better than I could have ever imagined it to be. Ray and I have marveled at God's goodness to us as we've ventured in this journey together. I am so thankful for all the new experiences we've had the opportunity to partake in, and the foundation we were able to build this past year. God has brought us to a wonderful church, and has placed some amazing people in our path. We participated as "host and hostess" of our Sunday School class for about 8 months, planning events and getting to know our class better. We joined a small group and have done a study about truth, and 2 studies about marriage. We have learned to fight fair, and forgive. My cooking skills have developed, and have blossomed into a new passion. Ray has enjoyed teaching me more about outdoor adventures, camping, hiking, swimming and such. I have learned a little more about my role as an Air Force wife, juggling weird hours at times and now a deployment. We are blessed. So incredibly blessed.
Here are some of my favorite moments from 2013...
January:
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| Welcomed 2013 with our awesome cousin, Ronnie. |
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| Visited the Sacramento Zoo! |
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| Valentines Day! Since hubby had to work on Valentines Day, I made a homemade, 3 cheese, heart shaped ravioli, with homemade bread and salad. |
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| The next night we celebrated again by going to "The Firehouse" in Old Sac. Extreeeeeemely classy! |
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| We adopted our sweet boy, Frankie! |
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| Toured San Francisco with Ray's parents. |
March:
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| Visited Lake Tahoe! |
April:
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| My Uncle & Aunt came to visit us! |
May:
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| We went backpacking in the Sierra's. Hiked 6 miles in and then set up camp. |
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| Camp, sweet, camp. |
June:
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| We went home to attend my brother's graduation. Way to go, Christopher! |
July:
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| My hubby took me swing dancing in Sacramento! There was even a live band! |
August:
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| Ray was asked to teach Sunday School for the Truthseekers' class! He did a great job! So proud! |
September:
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| My Nana came to visit. We toured around Grass Valley and enjoyed some ice cream in the rain. |
October:
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| I ran my first half marathon along the Avenue of the Giants! |
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November:
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| I cooked my first Thanksgiving Dinner! With the help of a good friend, of course :) |
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| My homemade apple pie. |
December:
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| Ray and I celebrated our first anniversary! We went to a fantastic restaurant in Sacramento and enjoyed the lighting of the downtown district for Christmas. |
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| Re-enlistment! So proud! |
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| We went home for Christmas. Such a sweet time of reuniting with my family! |
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| As the last days of 2013 approached, we prepared for Ray's deployment. I love this man with all my heart. |
Ah, 2013. You were a fantastic year. Here's to topping it in 2014!!!
14 personal goals for 2014...
1. Grow more in my personal relationship with the Lord.
2. Fall more in love with my husband.
3. Be a more productive person.
4. Develop a better prayer life.
5. Find a hobby my husband and I can enjoy together.
6. Cook at least 5 great meals from Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." One of which should be learned before hubby gets home!
7. Handle more things myself instead of asking hubby to do it.
8. Let my friends know how much they're appreciated.
9. Stop worrying so much!
10. Up my sewing skills to the next notch (i.e., do more than sewing a straight line!)
11. Write more! More letters, more on the blog, more journaling..
12. Cut back on the soda.
13. Pick a service project and get busy!
14. Last but not least.... find more joy in things!
Nehemiah 8:10 says that, "the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Psalm 92:4 mentions, "For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done."
Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
and James 1:2 tells us to "consider it pure joy, brother and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds."
And now I have a few goals for myself while my hero is gone...
1. Be more independent. Don't hinder myself from doing things just because he isn't here.
2. Be a tourist in my own town. Go to new places. Eat at new restaurants. Find a new park, etc.
3. Do a little traveling.
4. Go home to see my family.
5. Celebrate my wonderful friends! I could not get through this deployment without them!
6. Host a party!
7. Build up our savings.
8. Learn a new skill. Car care, maybe? Knitting?
Looks like I've got some improving to do! Do you have any goals for this new year?
14 personal goals for 2014...
1. Grow more in my personal relationship with the Lord.
2. Fall more in love with my husband.
3. Be a more productive person.
4. Develop a better prayer life.
5. Find a hobby my husband and I can enjoy together.
6. Cook at least 5 great meals from Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." One of which should be learned before hubby gets home!
7. Handle more things myself instead of asking hubby to do it.
8. Let my friends know how much they're appreciated.
9. Stop worrying so much!
10. Up my sewing skills to the next notch (i.e., do more than sewing a straight line!)
11. Write more! More letters, more on the blog, more journaling..
12. Cut back on the soda.
13. Pick a service project and get busy!
14. Last but not least.... find more joy in things!
Nehemiah 8:10 says that, "the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Psalm 92:4 mentions, "For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done."
Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
and James 1:2 tells us to "consider it pure joy, brother and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds."
And now I have a few goals for myself while my hero is gone...
1. Be more independent. Don't hinder myself from doing things just because he isn't here.
2. Be a tourist in my own town. Go to new places. Eat at new restaurants. Find a new park, etc.
3. Do a little traveling.
4. Go home to see my family.
5. Celebrate my wonderful friends! I could not get through this deployment without them!
6. Host a party!
7. Build up our savings.
8. Learn a new skill. Car care, maybe? Knitting?
Looks like I've got some improving to do! Do you have any goals for this new year?
