Year in Review: 2013

I know it's a little past the New Year, but I wanted to post some highlights from 2013:

• We finally had some family photos taken as a family of 4. These were also Lucas' first professional photos (at 13 months.)
• We found out we would be moving in the summer, and that Steve would eventually teach at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
• We took one last trip to Disney World before our move.
• Steve turned the big 3-0!
• We found out we would be moving home to Colorado and Steve would be a student at Colorado State University once again!
• We announced that we were pregnant with Baby #3 due in October.
• We all safely arrived in Colorado in June.
• Steve and I celebrated our 7th anniversary with our first getaway in 4 years.
• Christian turned 4.
• We sold our beautiful home in South Carolina. (No blog post- it was very bittersweet and under rough circumstances.)
• We welcomed Noah Levi to the family October 9, becoming a party of 5!
• A new decade for me, I turned 30 as well.
• We celebrated Christmas 3 times! (1, 2, and 3)
• Lucas turned 2.

2013 was a very busy year indeed! Lots of blessings, some hardships, but overall a wonderful year! Can't wait to see what 2014 holds for us.

Lasts

"Goodbyes" are never easy, and after a little over 3 years, it is time for us to say "goodbye" to Sumter, South Carolina, Shaw AFB, and all of the wonderful friends we have made during this assignment. We are going to miss Sumter...but mostly because of the friendships and memories here. There have been lots of details and waiting, but everything is slowly coming together with our move and transition.

We have a strong potential for a rental home in Fort Collins, Colorado that is very close to the house I rented with a couple of girls in college. We currently have a temporary lease agreement since we have not yet seen the home. In addition, after unceasing prayer we were blessed with an offer on our house this past Saturday! The negotiating didn't get us as high as we had hoped, but it is time to say "good bye" to this beautiful home we love.

We attended a going away party with Steve's co-workers this past weekend and it was such a blessing to hear their kind words and affirmations; they spoke so highly of Steve and I know it was such an encouragement to him.

We have also said goodbye to close friends in the neighborhood, my MOPS group, Christian's preschool, etc. The packers come tomorrow and the time that we have anticipated is finally here, and as always there are tears, but we are looking forward to what lies ahead...Colorado!

Christian's last day at school:

Feeding the animals at the Treehouse Nursery down the street from us:

One last trip to Swan Lake:

And last but not least, enjoying one last day at our home in South Carolina:

Flowers

I just can't get over how pretty the flowers in our yard are this year. We are going to miss these beauties! (But not the weeding or bugs!) Oh yes, and a couple of cuties at the bottom. :o)

Family Photos: January 2013

Sometimes I am just so bad about posting. I guess it comes with the territory in raising little ones. :) I realized recently that I completely forgot to post some of our family pictures that were taken by the talented Regina of Regina B Photography back in January. They were taken at the entrance of our subdivision, and I love how the wintry colors and afternoon sunlight turned out. Christian was 3 years and 4 months old, Lucas was almost 13 months old.