2011....

was a very good year!  i am thankful. b and I were surrounded by family, friends and new babies!  we took a family vacation with my brother and sis in law in summer that was super fun.  i've had lots of laughs and some cries this year!  i have been humbled and amazed to watch God work here and across the world.  my involvement with TEAMWorks Ukraine has truly been life changing, and for that I am so thankful.  thankful my world has been rocked.  once your eyes see the need, you can not turn back.  thankful i have had the privilege of holding and touching the least of these.

unfortunately, i can't mention 2011 with out remembering a great loss.  two weeks ago i watched helplessly as my best friend's heart broke when she lost her lifelong & childhood best friend mica very unexpectedly.  we cried and looked for comfort in the arms of our Jesus.  it served as a reminder to treat others with kindness and love and to remember that you just never know what someone is dealing with on the inside.

my year in some pictures....
January 2011:: Sugar Bowl trip

 February:: celebrating Valentine's day Chick-Fil-A Style!

 March:: Our youngest niece Lena Beth was born!

and this sweet baby Mac!

 April:: night at concert at George's!

 and I was obsessed with the Royal Wedding!  her style was perfection in my eyes!

 May:: two more friends had sweet babies...Lucas and Parker!

 trying to teach Hadleigh early to love hats....

 June::  Family vacation-cruise!

 July:: playing with Lena Beth and Riley

and we spent a weekend landscaping our house on the hottest weekend of the year, naturally!
before...

and after...

celebrating my 28th birthday!

August:: we had a golf tournament fundraiser for TEAMWorks trips to Guatemala and Ukraine!  we were blessed by raising a good portion of money and helping to fun two successful trips! 

we went to see a fun concert in a dirt field in oklahoma!   my parents really did raise me on country music and dirt roads!  ha.

mama carmen's coffee shop and i began our love affair this summer.  and it's by far one of my favorite places...i go way more than I should.

September:: my two nieces in one place...i loved it!

razorback game with chad and liz!

October:: was SO full of good things...
sweet girl turned 3

 i got to enjoy these delicious Ukrainian made cappuccino's for 2 weeks...

 and i spent 10 wonderful days working with children in ukraine.  when can i go back?  now please.

November::

we went to a Nick and Jarah's wedding!

 and celebrated thanksgiving!

December::

I ran the fayetteville half marathon!  

 and we were proud!

and then heaven got an angel!  if you know me very well, then you know of my friend Mariellen and how much I love her!  and i loved mica because mariellen loved her so much.  they were literally two halves, and I of course spent time with Mica, but also felt that I knew her so well from listening to mariellen talk about her sweet friend for years.  and i also loved her because she was sweet, beautiful, funny and super fun! 

I have no doubt that the friends and family will help create a lasting legacy in Mica's honor of loving life and animals.  can't wait to see the beautiful things that will come from this pain.  

clockwise from top: rachel, Mica B, Mariellen and myself!  we'll miss you so much sweet girl!  

we had Christmas at my mom's...

Christmas at my dad's!

2011 was a good year, and I am excited for 2012!   Happy New Year!