Reflecting on 20*13

2013 held lots of good things for my family and myself! 2013 also held lots of sad memories for us as well!

This year we lost the greatest dad/grandfather ever in the history of the world-no joke!
Ok, apparently we are going to do this post without pictures. SIGH

In 2013 we lost my Dad, Uncle, Great Aunt, and 3 pets! My dad's dog (literally grieved herself to death), our family pet, and my inlaws family Pet! That's alot to deal with and explain to my lil tots!

Even thru all the grief, lots of great things happened in 20*13

*I got to spend a ton of time with my dad, a big/huge thanks to my husband
*We bought our dream home & my dad got to see it right before we closed on it and approved of it :-)
*We celebrated our boys birthdays (thankfully) every year their big day is soooo special to me!
*We had one of the boys start 2nd grade, which is a HUGE deal-big transition from 1st!
*We had one child start the K4 class-his last year of pre-school at the Christian Academy
*We were able to go on 2 vacations-1 to Jelly Stone Campground, and 1 to Wilderness of the Smokies
*We bought a new minivan for this momma
*We were able to purchase new things for our home!
*I got a promotion at work
*The boys got to go to Neyland Stadium for a game-huge deal for the boys
*One of the boys is playing indoor winter baseball-huge step for him, playing with other kids he had never        met before
*We celebrated Christmas and the REAL meaning of the Season-Jesus' Birthday
*I got to Scrapbook with some friends this year, and I absolutely LOVE every minute of it!
*My photography business was very successful this year, and we are very thankful!
*Our family, stayed healthy, happy, and safe!-This is mine and the boys prayers everyday!
*My hubs was able to work OT-which is always nice, and very much so appreciated!
*All my prayers were answered for daddy to have a safe shift at work, he is a fireman, and I worry                 everytime he leaves the house for work. I know most of the time his job is safe, however, he was shot at       this year while on an EMS run, luckily the bullet hit the ambulance and not him. I do know it takes one bad   run to go to crap very easily and someone is hurt or dead. VERY THANKFUL for him!
*The hubs and I celebrated 8 years of marriage! I can't wait to celebrate another 80 years with that                  wonderful man! :)
*One kiddo played soccer for the 2nd season and had a great time!
*I lost weight, I've been so up and down, I don't exactly know how many lbs I've lost total this year, I will       document better in 20*14, but I have lost 34.5 lbs total.
*This year I have gone down 2 sizes in pants-I will take that!
*This year I added 2 more 5 K's to my "Run like a girl plaque", I typically do 1-5K race a year, this year I      added 2 more.
*Nana has spent alot of time with us, and my boys fell in love with her even more this year! To have a very     involved grandparent is priceless!

I know this can't be all of the great things that happened in 20*13 but it's a great list. There is always more good then bad, and I like to focus on the good!

Today happens to be my great Aunt Eleanor's birthday! I know she and my dad are having a great time in Heaven and are awaiting our arrival!

We are ending our year, healthy, happy, and safe! For that I'm very thankful!