12 Joys from 2012

"And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation." ~Psalm 35:9~

I loved this year.  It was not perfect, but I am learning to be thankful for the little moments in my life.  In the midst of the diapers and the schedules, the clock ticking time that I will never get back...there they are. Still, precious moments, treasures of time that I will cherish for a lifetime. I made calendars for 2013. I made them with love, no two calendar exactly the same, looking back on all of the wonderful memories of times gone by. Here are 12 things I want to share with you from my year. I took photos of the calendar pages. There is a slight glare but I think you can still get the idea. :)

1. Hannah and Hailey in our Winter Wonderland this past year. We got to sled and play in the snow. It was fun, even though we lost power for 4 days!

2. My little loves on Valentine's Day. I love holiday outfits!

3. St. Patrick's day, all dressed in green! I love those smiles!

4. My Hannah, firstborn, full of delight and awe, and growing so fast! You look all grown up in this photo! My sweet Hailey, second born, full of curiosity and sweet wonder. Stay innocent.

5. If you ask Hannah how old she is, she will smile, shyly say "4", and tell you that her birthday is May 13th. Hannah, you who want to plan your next birthday the moment the guests leave from the party we just had, you who came into my room the day of your 4th birthday party, all dressed up in your Tinkerbell outfit, how can I not smile and thank God for my blessing baby!

6. I LOVE summer in the Northwest! Even though I was pregnant, getting over a crazy cold, and co-leading Hannah's VBS class full of 8 preschoolers, it was so precious to see the girls singing worship songs, playing with new friends, and making crafts. I love playing in the sunshine in the pool, and taking camping trips to the beach.  

7. Happy birthday, America! Hailey covered her ears during the fireworks this year. I didn't mind her snuggles in my lap, her whispered, "I don't like the fireworks." She could have laid her thick, sun brightened, getting longer by the day head on my shoulder forever. I love dressing in our patriotic outfits and celebrating the day. The sky was so blue this year! The girls loved playing with sparklers and poppers.

8. Hailey turned 2 this August. One month before her baby brother was born. All things Pooh bear for her birthday party. I love your sweet smile, little one, and how your hair flies long behind you when you run all wobbly on your chubby little feet. Your smile lights up a room and your giggle melts my mommy heart. You have always been my sensitive soul.

9. My 3rd baby, my first boy...Hanson Matthew! You came into this world in the month of September...you who I was determined would be born in October, and yet your birthday came at just the right time. All 9 lbs. 1 oz of you is perfect. I love everything about you! You compliment our family! I am exhausted but with each passing moment I am reminded of how much I need Jesus, my family, and friends to be a good mommy to you and your sisters. I cannot do this alone!

10. I had so much fun going up to Lake Tipsoo at the beginning of the month.  This Fall was so mild, the colors of the leaves were just perfect. We went to the pumpkin patch in our shorts. I love my 3 little pumpkins. Each one is so unique in their own way.  I need these moments, these still frames, for the days and moments when life feels like it weighs heavy, when I forget the good and need to be reminded of the truth. I look out and see blessings beyond belief.

11. Hanson boy, almost 3 months old in this photo, you are getting so big! We are so very thankful for you!

12. The joy of Christmas is in being together. Not in being perfect...everyone wearing their cute Christmas jammies and snuggling in for the night. The reality is that we put the girls to bed late, with messy rooms, reminding them to go to sleep so that Santa would come to our house. ;) My own sleepy, excited eyes wouldn't let me rest my head on my pillow until the last details were finished downstairs. The wondering and worrying if we are making Christ central to our Christmas and instilling values into our children...remembering this Christmas not only for those moments, but for the joy of being together, exchanging gifts, teaching giving, learning to share, and trying not to lose our sanity over the many times the girls run around downstairs squealing "Give it back." 

I look back at these moments and I smile. Even as the colored lights come down outside , as I gaze one last time at our lighted Christmas tree inside, I am thankful. Thankful for these small moments that add up together to be this life I am learning to live with gratitude on this side of eternity. For the love that came down that Christmas thousands of years ago. For the chubby little 2 and 4 year old hands that place baby Jesus in the Little People manger, and the eyes that look curiously and ask questions about faith and eternity. These are the moments that are mine. On this last day of 2012,  I pause to say thank you. Thank you to my God, my family, and my friends for the love, support, and forgiveness when I fail. I love you. I accept this new year and will persevere (Hebrews 12:1 and James 1:2-3). 

Choosing Joy,

Rebecca