Good-bye to 2014...

Hi everyone--

Well, this year has not been the best one for keeping up on our family blog... I'm going to be catching up on entries over the coming days, but I wanted to pause for a moment as we say good-bye to 2014 and reflect on one of the most hectic years ever for our family...

The beginning of a new year always seems so fresh, new, exciting. In contrast, bringing a year to a close invites reflection and a chance for taking stock.

2014 was a good year. How could I label it otherwise? During this year, Emmy and I got to do both Disneyland and Disney World. Britti got married in a beautiful ceremony in May. Trixie joined our family in April. Emmy had a record-shattering year in 4-H, including one state championship and several awards at the state and county levels. Chelsea studied abroad in the summer and then returned to pursue her degree in accounting at Baylor. Ellie-Kate continued to grow as an athlete, a reader, and a person. Roger and I both finished authoring books. Yes, 2014 was a very, very good year.

Perhaps it was too much of a good year. By November, I was just exhausted. Helping to plan the wedding, finishing the book, leading two Girl Scout troops, advising the 4-Hers,  teaching classes, working on NCA--2015, coaching Ellie-Kate's soccer team, attending Emmy's sports events, serving as PTO co-treasurer, keeping up with our animals and schedules and the house... Just a lot...

Unexpected developments added to our stress. In August, I made the difficult decision to change churches. Even though we truly love our new church, leaving our church home of 20 years was heartbreaking and gut-wrenching. In September, we learned that Izzy had cancer, and, after a valiant fight, he passed away in November. I battled a recurrent sinus infection, likely because I allowed myself to get run down... Just a lot...

As I look forward to 2015, I'm resolved to take care of myself better... to scale back... to permit myself to get enough sleep and exercise... to keep my eyes squarely and firmly on God, for guidance and provision. To seek Him first always and to reaffirm my walk with Him as the priority. Professional accomplishments will fade away... People come and go, but He remains constant, and I need to remember that He will light my path (and that I should have eyes for seeking those rays of light).

In 2015, I'm looking forward to a year filled with more rest, relaxation, joy with family, fellowship with friends, and focus on God. And now, as we spend 30 more minutes in 2014, I praise God for Brittany Nicole, Chelsea Meagan, Emmy Grace, and Ellie-Kate. I praise God for Roger. I praise God for Brookfield Church and for the opportunity to live in Athens and to teach at OU. I praise God for our home, our pets, and the many rich blessings of friends and family. I praise God for providing us with a way to be with Him, even when we inevitably make mistakes that could otherwise keep us from being with our perfect, holy Heavenly Father. I praise God for moments of reflection that remind us that our time here is so temporary-- just a blip, really, compared to the vastness of eternity--so we need to check our priorities, egos, and distractions as we steer our eyes and hearts to what matters in the long run.

Thanks for caring about our family! We look forward to more time on the blog in 2015, and we wish you a wonderful and blessed New Year!

Christie