January always comes after December

I always think “Oh my gosh, another year has passed just like that,” when I begin to take a look back.  Like many of us, I assume, the calendar changing to a different number at the end of the date on my checks, always surprises me after all the craziness of Christmas.

(yes, I may be the only human in my generation who still writes checks. so be it.)

I make a calendar for my parents and my MIL every year as a Christmas present.  This time, as I compiled the photos of the kids and our family, I watched the children grow right before my eyes.  This past year was especially fun to see because it began with G losing his front teeth and by the end of the year he had them back again. 😉  K’s hair cut from back in the late Spring expired, and her hair is quite long again.  And Ben has gone from kid to tween.  It’s enough to make a Mama’s heart ache just a bit.  The passage of time, showing itself in such a fast-forwarded way.  Like a time machine in photos.

It was quite a year.  In good ways and bad.  I had goals realized – produced and read in a show, and even got published.  We traveled to be with those we love and just for relaxation.  We lost someone important in our family and that is something that still hurts a lot and always will…

 

We got a puppy!  I photographed my first wedding. My niece (and Goddaughter) got married.   I went to BlogHer. We went to Canada again.  Tim caught fish in Alaska.  We went to the Texas coast, twice!

 

Everyone turned another year older.

We struggled.  We celebrated.  We moved on.  We laughed.

We fell and got back up again.

We lived.

And as the calendar changes to another new year, we are thankful for this beautiful, crazy, amazing life.

Looking forward to 2015 (the year I turn 40!) and giving 2014 a tip of the hat.

 

Saying goodbye is bittersweet.