Wow, the year is over, I feel like it went by so unbelievably fast and I wish that I could put the brakes on time! This year was like every other year of my life, there were ups, there were downs, there were some really amazing things that happened, and some really horrible things that happened, but you know what? Such is life! If you're having good days and bad days, then you're living a normal life and that's all I could ask for. I am so blessed in so many ways and I'm completely surrounded by the ones that I love so much and that is what I feel is most important in life.
Although another year has gone by and we still don't have our miracle, I look back over the last few years and realize how far that we have really come. We had no idea the
lengths we would go, the leaps
and bounds we would take for our miracle. And here we are, on what
seems like a never-ending journey, still taking those strides to make a
family. I know that we could still have a very long road ahead of us, but I feel like we are doing the best that we can and that 2015 will be good to us. I don't want the focus of my year to be solely about infertility, because it was so much more than that!
So, onto the good stuff; the biggest and
best of 2014, our house! It still sometimes doesn't even seem possible
or real that we are actually building our dream home. The house that
Joe drew out on paper almost
5 years ago has come to life in a way that I could’ve never imagined.
We will see it finished in the spring so I know that 2015 will be a
stellar year in one way or another. We will be starting a brand new
chapter of our lives in our forever home and I cannot
wait! It’s been such a rewarding adventure, like something I've never
experienced before. Although our current living situation isn't ideal, I
do need to give a shout out to my parents for letting us live there,
rent-free since April. Such a huge blessing.
We've had a lot of fun too; it will be a bittersweet day when we
finally move out. Also, a huge shout out to anyone who has helped us
whether it be with concrete pouring or window painting, ever little bit
helps. And a HUGE thank you to Joe’s dad who, at
times, was putting more work in than Joe was, papa Joe, you rock!
There wasn't a whole lot more that really
stood out about this past year, in a way it was similar to 2012 and 2013
and years before, concerts, tattoos, camping, bike trips, wine-tasting,
adventuring, but I
don’t see mediocrity in doing the same things over and over, I see it
as continuing to do the things that we absolutely love to do with people
that we absolutely love doing them with and I hope we can continue
doing those things next year. Whether we add
a baby to the mix, and hopefully we do, 2015 will be big year for us
and I can’t wait to see what else in store for us.
Without further adieu, 2014 picture overload!
January started out horribly, with a miscarriage.
But with this guy by my side, we pushed forward.
In February we celebrated Valentine's Day with our friends
And had a shower for Jen! I love this group of girls!
We celebrated St. Patty's day in March
And dealt with the cancellation of our 3rd IUI attempt
We took our first ride on the bike at the end of March, can't wait til it's warm enough for that!
In April, my little SIL turned 21!!
The same day as her birthday, our IUI was cancelled again & we decided to move forward with IVF
I took my niece for her very first pedicure for her birthday, she loved it!
And baby Jase was born!!!!!!!!
In May we said goodbye to some friends as they started a new chapter in Vegas
And my beautiful friend Beth found out she was having a girl!
In June my bestie and I celebrated our birthday's together, we are one day apart!
I got my FOID card and got to spend lots of times with my brothers from another mother!
At the end of June we started to build our forever home!
In July, we adventured on the bike
I got my tattoo finished
We celebrated 4th of July!
We had our first IVF cycle, a fresh cycle which failed
And I got to spend more time with that one group of girls I love!
In August, we were awaiting baby Johanna's arrival in September
But, she surprised us about a week after the shower!
Lots of progress was being made on the house!
Joe and I celebrated 3 years of marriage in September!
We really saw the house being transformed into a home!
In October we got to freeze at Family Camp Out!
Miss Carter was born!
And we went to a fabulous wedding!
The bride was absolutely stunning!
In November, we started to side the house!
We went to an Eric Church concert!
And we got to spend time with our favorite little beans!
And with each other! <3
In December we took a much needed mini vacation!
And we had a blast!
Then Christmas came, and we all know how fabulous it is!
If I had to use a word to describe how I felt about 2014, it would be "accomplished". We really did some big things this year and took a giant step forward in our marriage with building this house. It's the most rewarding feeling. My word for 2015 is "determined". I am determined to do big things next year. It will be my last year in my twenties and I want to go out with a bang and I want to see my determination pay off in a big way and I know it will. I wish all of you, my fabulous readers and followers the happiest of new years! I hope that 2015 brings everything to you that your heart desires, but know that it won't always come without a fight. Thank you all for your continued support of this blog and of the journey that we are on. What I used to do for myself, I now do for others and that is to share my story! If it wasn't for all of you, this blog would not be what it is today! Much love to all of you and Happy New Year!