It Just Keeps Getting Better...

Happy 2014!! I'm slow going this morning after a late night of partying...oh wait, that's completely false. Buie and I literally watched reruns of our favorite tv shows in our pjs all night, popping cold pills every 3 to 4 hours. I sporadically ran outside to catch a glimpse of our neighbor's firework display, Lady started barking every time she heard the noises outside - so basically ALL NIGHT LONG - and Scooter whined incessantly like a big baby. At midnight we went outside all wrapped in a blanket and watched their grand finale and made a few resolutions for the New Year. In it's own sad sickly way it was romantic. ha! There's no one I would rather be feeling blah with on New Year's than my sweet husband and all my silly animals.

Today we are taking it easy, drinking coffee in bed, watching the Rose Parade and Bowl games and thinking about the possibilities for 2014.

Looking back at 2013, it was both exciting and scary. If there is one word to describe last year it would definitely be CHANGE. After leaving his job of six years, Buie, along with our zoo and myself, packed up and moved to another state. The move itself was so hard leaving behind so many friends, beloved co-workers and wonderful neighbors. B started graduate school in May at a brand new school as a non-traditional student. With the added responsibilities of schoolwork, tests, reading and endless papers, we decided that instead of Buie getting a job and being in school that I would support us while he finishes up graduate school. I'm so thankful for my growing photography business. Leaving all of my wonderful clients in Arkansas was so hard but at the same time I am so blessed for settling so close to my home town where so many people know me and my family.

2013 also brought us two more lovely pets to add to our zoo. When we moved into our home we found our little Lannie Cat waiting for us. Then later in early September, we brought home Lady to complete our crazy zoo and bring our number to an even 6: 3 cats and 3 dogs. Some change is good, especially when it comes with 4 furry legs and a wagging tail.

Sometimes change is hard...well, USUALLY it is hard, but I know that the end result will be worth all of the sacrifices we have made. This year we decided to not go on our planned vacation, to put off having kids a little bit longer and I also opted to not go to Nicaragua this year. All of these were hard decisions but were all made for the benefit of our future. We are so looking forward to a healthy, happy 2014. Whether this past year was a great one or a tremendously hard one, I hope and pray that 2014 brings awesome things for all of you! Happy New Year!

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A Look Back at 2012:

It's time for a look back at this past year. What a great year it has been! This is one of my favorite posts to write because I take extra time to re-read just about every post from the past year. It's so neat to see what we have accomplished (or NOT accomplished), where we have been and how our family has grown.

Here are some of the highlights: 

• fostering JoJo for several months and finally seeing him find a forever home.
• going to Mexico with some of our dear friends. 
• welcoming one niece and one nephew into the world this year: Carson & Hannah

• attending our best friend's wedding: Alicia & Brian
• enjoying our brand new fire pit & patio 
• having a girls weekend in Canton - a definite must do again for 2013! We had a blast!
• spending another entire year with the greatest husband I could have asked for. Seriously. 

• going to Nicaragua again with my mom
• getting to meet my sponsored child, Alex, in Nicaragua

• deciding to move back to Louisiana! 

We are definitely looking forward to a great New Years and a year full of changes, moving, travels, and new surprises! 

A Look Back...

It's January 6th and I haven't done the cliche "new year's" post or "my resolutions" post. Gasp. What kind of blogger am I? Well, first of all, I have never claimed to be a "blogger" by any standards other than I have a blog. I think that is evident by the amount of grammatical errors that are on here that I neglect to correct out of sheer laziness (or just sheer ignorance). I like to think of it more like an online journal. I DO, however, enjoy closing out a year by taking a look back at the highlights of the last 12 months.

• My "retirement party" at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. I worked there for five years and they gave me a great send off when I left in February to go full time into photography. Check me out over at Cara Beth Photography.
• a fun couples trip to Vegas! This was a first trip to Vegas and enjoyed the change of scenery from the natural state to the bright lights and big city. :)
• We welcomed our niece Makaylan Joy Walker into the world last April and what a JOY she is.
• B and I took a little road trip to New Orleans for a birthday/anniversary trip. This was B's first time in the French Quarter and he loved it! We can't wait to go back to one of my favorite cities!
• The Buies welcomed another into our crazy little zoo:: Charlie, our crazy little fireball of a kitty.
• We found out that BOTH of my sister in laws are expecting AT THE SAME TIME! yay! Nicole and Craig are due in April (with a boy) and Chris and Amanda are due in July (don't know the sex yet). Yay for more babies! Being an aunt is seriously one of the greatest joys in my life.
• I traveled to Nicaragua for a wonderful mission trip this past December. What a great way to end a great year!

Here's to another wonderful year in 2012!