wrapping up 2011

i can't believe another year has come and gone. this was probably the most stressful year for me. last october stan was hired at first baptist church of hurst and we made the move to north richland hills. i honestly didn't think the 1-1.5 hour drive would be that big of a deal (i still work in richardson), but it really took a toll on me that i wasn't expecting. by may i was burnt out. add on top of that virtually no community--definitely not what we had been used too--and you get one stressed out person. it was a blessing for our marriage though because we spent more time than ever together--just the two of us--and got to figure out what we really wanted for our future. i wouldn't trade that time for anything. i have a deeper love for my husband and an understanding of the amazing amount of patience he has, because Lord knows i complained. all. the. time.

i passed another portion of my CPA exam in march--woo hoo! we took a brief vacation to san francisco, california at the end of may/beginning of june to celebrate 3 wonderful years together. we spent a day in napa and it was glorious. then i failed another portion of my CPA exam--boo. i started co-leading a life connection class (sunday school) for the 11th grade girls and it has been one of the most challenging and rewarding things i've ever done. i am definitely not a teacher, but the Lord has been gracious to equip me with the tools and courage i need to make it through. i took a one month-turned-four month break from all things CPA related--oops. and jumped back on the wagon late november/early december. we finally both felt like we were ready to start a family and found out i was pregnant on the eve of christmas eve and we were over the moon! sadly, we lost our cousin Amber Robbins in a devastating car accident on december 29th. stan started off 2012 by preaching his second funeral in his short 26 years of life and that breaks my heart. we had a very low key celebration to ring in the new year at the evan's house. it was full of pajamas, toddlers and hide-and-go-seek in the dark.

i am thankful to leave 2011 behind me but so thankful for what the Lord has done in my heart--a transformation that has changed the way i perceive things and think about the world and life here on this earth. san francisco has opened my eyes to the reason why i dislike living in dallas. how materialistic everyone is--including me. hypocrisy at it's finest. but the Lord has made me realize i don't have to live that way. i just have to let go of these preconceived notions of the way i should live my life and the "american dream" and things i should accomplish and the order in which they are attained.

i'm excited about 2012 and the challenge a baby will be but i know that stan will make an amazing daddy and i will try to be the best mom i can be. my goal for 2012? we are moving to downtown dallas-and simultaneously-closer to our friends. my goal for 2012 is to take one weekend a month to spend as a family. from friday night to monday morning. starting this weekend. i cannot wait!