{remembering o'eight}

I’ve noticed several bloggers do a ‘year in review’ sort of thing and thought I would do one too. I noticed something as I organized my digital pictures into monthly folders (finally), that my year has been pretty blessed! It’s been a very difficult year in many ways, but my camera has captured the happy moments in the day to day. What a treasure!! I’m seeing the things that made my heart smile, urging me to grab the camera and catch the moment. I’m so glad I did – I would have forgotten about so many of these amazing memories if it weren’t for these pictures. Here are some of the things that are bringing a smile to my heart today as I look back on o’eight.

{January}

… brought the creation of my creative corner which has been a place of many happy, quite, creative moments this year! Stay tuned for updates – I have some changes in mind for this space in o’nine. Love my creative space, time, and inspiration.

… added another year to this hunky handyman’s life bringing Kenny to the big Four-O! Love him.

{February}

… brought friends and I downtown to see WICKED. Awesome. Love the city.

… and began a steady stream of commissions for portraits through the year ~ a welcome source of income at just the right times. Love drawing portraits.

{March}

… gave us opportunities to do some fun outings during spring break. This one was the Morton Arboretum with my mom. Love my mom.

… and swimming in the middle of winter with fun friends! Love my friends.

{April}

… got my long time saved for camera! Love my camera.

… and an anonymous gift to enter and art show. Love that friend whom I now know sent that gift.

{May}

… brought my first visit to the Galaxie. Love that place.

… and the beginning of some free spirit creativity and experiences in our home. Love nurturing that creative spirit.

{June}

… kicked off our camping season at the ‘sandy dunes.’ Love camping.

… and I participated in my very first art show at the Galaxie Chicago. Loved that experience.

{July}

… brought us to our favorite summer hangout with friends. Love the beach.

… and several weeks of encouraging neighborhood artists through Summer Art Camp. Loved watching them.

{August}

… brought big summer storms. Love a good storm … but this was a little too big.

… and the loss of Toadie. Loved hearing Hunter tell Toadie he would miss him. Did not love Toadie. Sorry.

{September}

… gave us my nephew Will’s first birthday. Love my nephew.

… and new motivational tools for mom. Love positive parenting tools.

{October}

… Door County. Need I say more? Loved the fall brilliance and the company and everything about the weekend.

… oh yes, the hottest Halloween ever! Loved our costumes.

{November}

… Hunter was baptized! Love his heart for the Lord.

… and Thanksgiving. Love my family.

{December}

 

… just simply Christmas. Love love love Christmas and all that it brings.

2008 brought our share of difficult moments too, but these are things that remind me our family had a really super year. These were the highlights and you know what? We had highlights every single month! A great year because we serve a great God. Our lives are rich, not the way the world defines rich, but the way God defines rich. I wouldn’t have it any other way.