Let's do a quick re-cap shall we?
We started off 2012 pregnant with our second child... Another boy! :)
Had to take Elliot to Disneyworld so I could tell him at least once he got his own trip.
He wasn't too impressed...
Found out Valentines Day that Bryan got a new job! After a few years of praying for a new position he was scooped up to work in.... The Woodlands, Texas.
So... we built a house, had a baby and left all of our family and friends and headed out west.
But we have been so blessed to met new friends and find a new church home in
The Church at Alden Bridge.
Re-newed our vows in an Irish Wedding
Elliot turned 2 and Ethan got huge
And we also had a few emotional breakdowns... and some days we find ourselves still adjusting.
Having two children was a huge adjustment for Bryan and I. While we love both of our boys and planned on having them that close... We didn't realize how spoiled we were with our friends back home lovingly watching our children so that Bryan and I could spend some time together. I've always known that I need my best friend to keep me sane... I didn't realize Bryan needed me as much as I needed him though to keep him sane!
Yet... we are to
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. [James 1:2-4]
We could have easily thought we weren't right for parenting when often we had days where our two children won against us. We could have also started to resent our sweet little blessings when they prevented us from being together and do things like to go movies or out to dinner like we use to.
But through it all at each turn we were constantly reminded whether by family who lovingly kept traveling to Texas to give us date nights... by friends who called to encourage us when we were weary or by solid Truth:
“The Lord is my helper;I will not fear;
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. [Hebrews 12:1-2]
That even when we failed as parents... failed to romance one another... failed to read our Bible and pray... God was still faithful to us. His grace was still sufficient. His love was still unending.
So, while we look back on 2012 as a HUGE year of fun changes and a bit of intense-ness... we are super excited that through it all we are again reminded how faithful and loving our God is.
We aren't the first to know that truth and know we will not be the last:
I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;
with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. [Psalm 89:1]
No matter what 2013 brings for you and your family know that God will always be Faithful.
Happy New Year from our Family to yours.
Looking forward to many more adventures in 2013!
Jessica