Hallelujah

*I'm dating this post December 31st, 2012 - my last one of the year.  I've got many memories to look back on and so many blessings and lessons to reflect upon in the coming weeks. 

2012 - thank you...

"Hallelujah" - K.D. Lang

There is this peace - this contentedness that has consumed every part of me in the past week...

It's grown with each waking day.  It's made for late nights filled with long talks and deep thoughts.

Many times, I found myself choked up and ultra weepy as I took a good, hard look at where I'm at

and where I've been.

Where I'm at and where I've been - it all blends together...

creating such an intensely satisfying comfort.

I'm feeling blessed beyond words.   

Because our dreams have finally come true - yes.

But then there's that other good stuff - the stuff that stirs deep within.  I carry it with me - it serving as a reminder to always be thankful, always be mindful and always have faith.

There's this place I've always gone to when I felt fear creeping in - A place 

 where all the trials, crazy wonderful messes, terrifying moments and beautiful experiences all fuse together.  I take them all in.  And not only do I feel so very blessed but... 

I feel so alive. 

2012 - Some days, I prayed for night to come and bring me even a small bit of peace.  Some nights, I prayed for even an hour or two of sleep. And now, I sit here in awe of all the life and love that was packed into the past year.

Yesterday, my mom and I spent the day together.  After lots of bargain shopping, we headed back to her house.  We sat until about midnight, talking, sipping hot tea and eating her famous Christmas cookies.

  A year ago, today, her mother - my nani, passed away.  It doesn't seem that far away to me.  And I know, for my mother, it all still feels so very fresh at times.  

Over the years, my mom and I have learned a fair share about loving and losing.  It certainly isn't easy.  But it teaches you.  You learn more about yourself than you can imagine.  A new kind of strength enables you to not only keep going,

but to live wiser and love greater.

"I've found you find strength in your moments of weakness.  For once I'm at peace with myself." - Rascal Flatts - "I'm Moving On"

I've always loved those words.

  And now, they ring so incredibly true.

2012, I'll always remember and be thankful for you.

I'll come back and visit.  Don't you worry.

 Thank you.

<3<3<3

The day before New Year's Eve with the Mr...

A day of celebration.  Just the two of us.  We bundled up and took a pretty drive.

To one of our favorite spots to visit in the winter.

 Snow covered the ground, roofs and trees around us.  The air was crisp and people everywhere were smiling and happy - Christmas was still in the air.

We walked, keeping close to one another as we took in the sites of the village.

We found sweet pieces for baby girl's nursery in one of our favorite shops.  And got teary (yet again) at just how perfect they were and how amazing it all felt.

We checked out these creations in the little gingerbread hut...

And even spotted an angry yeti!

Leaving the hut, we came out to the sky lit up with magic.

We had dinner at a place we've been wanting to try for years.

It was charming and beautiful - a gorgeous church converted into a restaurant.

December 30th - 28 weeks

I officially entered the third trimester.

The last photo I took that day - a hand-painted bench outside a funky, little shop on our walk back to the car...

Couldn't sum up my thoughts on 2012 any better - Love does save the day.  Always.

And to that, I say...

"Hallelujah!"

Happy New Year.  Happy New Lessons.  Happy New Begninnings.

I'll be back later this weekend with more reflection and photos from our end of the year and new year.

New Lovin',