2012 in a nutshell

Well, another year has come and gone. 2012 was...interesting, to say the least. It wasn't bad, it also wasn't one of those years that I will write or talk about years down the road. It was another year that happened and for the lessons we learned, the trials we experienced and the memories we made, I am grateful.

Here is our 2012 in a nutshell:
I began blogging! I might not be too consistent, but I love that I have it and have made a resolution to do more of it in 2013!
Stephen finished his last semester at SFA getting another undergrad, only in physics this time
Stephen found out that he was accepted to Auburn and he in turn accepted their offer! WAR EAGLE!
Kinleigh became a little girl and left toddlerhood with a smile on her face
Kinleigh turned 3...3, how did that happen
Liam learned how to walk, talk, wrap me around his finger, smile, laugh, break my heart and more!
Liam turned 1...OH MY, I cannot believe I no longer have a baby!
I am now the mother to 2 toddlers...kinda ;) * I will hold on as long as I can*
We decided on trying to have one more kiddo, starting next year ;)
I lost a great friendship...for reasons I still don't know and will never know
I was reunited with my all time best friend, when we moved to Auburn!
My brother got married and I gained a SIL and a nephew!!! WOOHOO :)
My brothers wedding was seriously the most EPIC wedding of all time...for tons of reasons, lol
I lost my dad and not to death, it was due to his pride and stubbornness. Oh well, his loss, right? (One day I will be able to say that with 100% confidence and no longing for him in mine and my children's lives)
I grew closer to some amazing women...you know who you are ;)
Stephen and I had some pretty big ups and some pretty big downs as a married couple
We moved our entire family 4 states away to allow Stephen to chase his dream
We learned that the next time we move, we are hiring people to do it for us
I became a SAHM (my dream since 2009!)
I made some amazing new friends in our new town
We realized that we don't need family a few miles away to get what we need done in life
I have learned A LOT about patience, understanding and combining the 2!
I started a wonderful job at Thirty One gifts and LOVE every minute of it and cannot wait to see what happens in 2013 with it
I began building my Thirty One team and love my girls on my team!
I grew much closer to the family that is left and around in our lives and am forever grateful for them
I have learned a lot about 'family' and what that really means
I realized that even someone is blood, it doesn't mean they are worth fighting for. Toxic is toxic is toxic, no matter how you spin it.
Stephen and I learned that we are the best people to raise our children, not our families, not the general population, not other parents...we are and we are alone!
We have learned that 'keeping up with the Jones' is a TON of work and totally not worth it, even if you can! Who are the Jones' anyways?
I have grown closer to God and appreciate him and all he did for us, more than I ever have and cannot wait to grow closer to him
I am forever grateful for couponing and what it is able to do for our graduate family budget
I have become a kind of thrifty that I didn't know about it
I began crafting again!!! :) *I am one happy mommy about this*
I left my job at Commercial Bank, after 6 years, never looked back and have only missed the people!
We have gotten to spend more time together, as a family
Stephen was a SAHD during the summer and has a whole new appreciation for SAHM's
I have learned to stand up for not only myself, but also for my family and I feel 100% confident in doing so. (Don't get me wrong, I have always been able to stand up for myself, but I was always racked with guilt after doing so. That is gone now and it is a free-ing feeling!).
Stephen finished his first semester of grad school with AMAZING grades and a great sense of accomplishment
My mom and I grew closer, simply because we added distance between us!
I believe in the power of prayer, more so this year than any other
I have lost ALL the baby weight...only to hopefully, put it back on within the year ;) lol

And the best and most important of all of this:
I am blessed beyond belief with 2 happy, healthy kiddos, an incredibly, amazing, hard working husband, some awesome girlfriends, a great family support system and a confidence in myself that I have never had! 

2012 wasn't our best year, it also wasn't our worse, but it was our most insightful into each of us and for that, it was an AMAZING year! It taught us a lot about strength, what is and isn't worth fighting for, what matters the most, how short life really is, who we want to surround ourselves with, what we want our focus in life to be on and how to be a fully functioning, supportive team!
You can't always have AWESOME years, otherwise they don't seem so awesome. Every now and then, you have to have a year to shake things up a bit, knock you on your butt, put things in perspective and make you realize just how AWESOME life truly is.
God is always in control, he knows what he is doing, so let's allow him to 'do his thing' and stop trying to handle so much of our own lives!

The Adams Family is stronger, happier, healthier and more confident than ever! I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us next year. 
He just might knock you on your butt cause we are so awesome....lololol!!! 

Happy 2012 and New year 2013 to all of you!! May we all be blessed beyond belief and know how to recognize, appreciate it and spread the wealth!

Courtney (mommy)