A New Year

As we said goodbye to the amazing year of 2012, and welcomed 2013, I found myself reflecting on the past year's blessings, and how in abundance they were given to us!

The biggest, most amazing, most obvious blessing was that of becoming parents!  After struggling with fertility issues for 11 months, the Lord, on His time granted us the sweet, sweet joy of parenthood and sent us our beautiful baby girl.  I was able to experience what it was like to be pregnant, with it's ups and downs and experience a true, hard, amazingly perfect labor and delivery to bring her into this world.  And what a blessing that was!  To feel such instant love for a little being, to bond so quickly and be so overcome with love and emotion for a sweet child of God, has been, by far, the most incredible feeling both Jace and I have ever experienced.  It has brought us closer together in our marriage than we could have ever imagined.

Jace is still employed with eBay, and what a blessing that has been!  To have a secure, stable job in these crazy economical times is huge!  And with health benefits, life insurance, a 401K plan and stock options, nonetheless!  With me quitting my job at the dental office to be a stay at home momma, we were worried that our financial situation would take a turn for the worst with only one income. And although we've had to make some sacrifices, and are definitely NOT where we'd like to be financially, we still manage to get by every month, paying the bills, making the mortgage, and putting food on the table.  My husband is one hard working man and does everything in his power to provide for his family... and for that I am indeed grateful!

I could go on and on about the blessings we received last year, but this post would be never ending.  To sum it up, 2012 was good to us and it will be a hard one to beat!  With that said, I am so excited for 2013 and what it has in store for us!  I've never been one for resolutions, I'm all about living life day to day, but I do believe it's okay to set a few personal goals to help yourself become a better person.  So here are a few of my plans for this new year:

1. I plan to be the best Mother I can be for my little Ava.  I plan to laugh with her, play with her, and explore her new world with her.  I plan to teach her and take care of her and help her grow into a strong, beautiful little toddler. I just hope she will be patient with me and my imperfections :)

2. I plan to love and appreciate my husband more.  I plan to support him in all of his callings in life, in church and in his job.  I plan to refrain from arguing so much with him, and I plan to choose my battles more wisely :) I just hope he will be patient with me and my imperfections :)

3. I plan to do better at serving my family, friends and neighbors, even just with small and simple things. I plan on strengthening my testimony of the gospel and strengthening my relationship with my Savior. I just hope He will be patient with me and my imperfections :)

I better stop at 3! Don't want to get too overwhelmed :)

Cheers to 2013 and living life to the fullest!