Feeling Full

It's 2013, y'all! We all made it! My Mom offered to let our kids spend the night at her house, so Josh and I brought in the new year the way it should be done. We ate supper at 5:00 at O'Charley's then went shopping for a new rug. :)  We didn't find our rug, but we did get to ring in the new year with some sweet friends sitting around their fire pit, sharing stories and drinking hot chocolate with HOMEMADE marshmallows! Amazing. I also got a kiss at midnight. Well, a few minutes after midnight. Josh was a little late coming around the fire pit, but that's ok, we've always been on our own time schedule. :)

In the past I've written long, melodramatic posts reflecting on my year. I'm happy to report that in 2012 I think I finally grew out of the 13 year old version of myself.  I don't feel so dramatic. I just feel blessed. And quite honestly, too tired to be dramatic. But, it's the good kind of tired. The "my life is full" kind of tired. Full of people I love. Full of experiences that have made happy memories and great learning experiences. Full of God's presence and full of purpose. 

I'm relishing the place I am in right now. In the past I have been anxious for a new year because I was desperate for change and new things. I can honestly say that for now I am at a point that I am just praying God will let me hold on to the people and things in my life for just a little bit longer. I'm clinging to these days where Little People decorate my display shelf in the living room and children's artwork covers my fridge. I'm clinging to the days where all of our siblings and their significant others live within driving distance and I get to enjoy them and be "Aunty Em" in real life, not just through cards or packages. I'm hanging on to these days with a sweet church family that loves and encourages us.  I'm soaking up the days of having a job where I get to rock babies and read to toddlers. As long as Josh and I both live I will cling to him and make the most of every minute God gives us together. 

2012 gave me the greatest gift- CONTENTMENT. I give 2012 the credit, but truly it belongs to my Heavenly Father who has worked hard for many years to teach me this lesson. Hard things have taught me to appreciate good things. Even sometimes not so good things. I have learned that "new things", "better things", or "exciting things" aren't really where it is at. Learning to soak in what you have right where you are is something that no one can take away from you. I often have random songs pop in my head. They are usually annoying, where did that come from? kind of songs. Like "Barbie Girl" or the "Macarena". Well, last night another song randomly popped in my head. One that says, "This joy that I have, the world didn't give it to me. The world didn't give it and the world can't take it away."  I think that perfectly sums up my 2012. 

My prayer for all of us in 2013 is that no matter what circumstances or trials we face, we will know the JOY that the world can't give. Only the Father. I will pray that we will all be as full of that JOY as I am of Reese's Peanut Butter cups. That's a LOT, y'all! :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!