In January, we began regularly attending Preston Trail Community Church and were able to get plugged in to a small group. I spent the better part of the Spring head down, buried in a very neat, though time consuming project at work. Aaron decided that our then-four-month-old twin puppies needed their own space in the back yard and built for them a massive dog house. It is pretty impressive, I have to say, and has managed to withstand the tests of time, teething, and trouble (with only a few scars to show for it).
February took us on a much-anticipated visit to Corpus Christi. While there, we dominated at dominoes with the Lutz duo and celebrated the impending nuptials of my sister-in-law, Kristin, at her bridal shower. Back home, we enjoyed a fun-filled evening courtesy of my annual work party.
March was probably our busiest travel month. We ventured on our biennial Burns Family Ski Trip to Wolf Creek, Colorado. Aaron and I both snowboarded, though I less so due to a plague of exhaustion and dehydration. Some scary cramping had us in the ER for a few hours but it turned out to be a blessing because we got to see the first discernible pictures of our baby via sonogram. Though it is entirely possible to snowboard at four months pregnant, it is not easy! The next morning, Aaron was at the clinic combating a sinus infection. While we had a ton of fun, some vacations just aren't meant to be. Later that same month, my fun work project afforded me the opportunity to travel to our London offices to assist in training my peers on our systems. While there, I was able to visit Westminster and Reading, tour several museums, ride a big red bus, and watch the changing of the guard. Sadly, no sightings of royalty took place. It was such a fun experience that remiains on my bucket list to do again. Upon my return, we headed down to Corpus, this time to watch Kristin wed her love, Travis. We had such a wonderful time welcoming him and his sweet boy, Zay, into our family.
We finally let the cat out of the bag in April by announcing that we were expecting! To the frustrations of many, we decided not to find out our little ones' gender and kept our name choices a secret. This excitement and anticipation ended up being one of the most fun and memorable parts of our pregnancy. Though much of April was a blur (what with the jet lag and buzz around the belly bump), one of my favorite memories this year came from work. I was invited to a fancy-schmancy charity event affiliated with my company's flagship philanthropy - complete with a fashion show, Maseratis, and preggo-approved wining and dining with our CEO. Throw a promotion on top of that and it has been a great year in my career.
The NRA held its annual gun show and rally in May, an event my dear husband couldn't miss. He, his brother and I, with my youngest niece in tow, ventured to Houston for the weekend trip. Thankfully, perhaps regrettably, we did not come home with any major investments. Instead, we began the 10-week countdown to baby, scheduling showers and registering for the most creative knick-knacks our own parents never had. It's a wonder we survived childhood. A short but sweet visit from our friends, the Mulkey's helped us to kick off the Summer season.
The gender-neutral nursery was finally finished mid-July and ready to add baby. We probably out-did ourselves just a bit but it quickly became, and still remains, my favorite room in our house. Mementos from our showers, little gifts, and words of encouragement adorn our subtly glitter-painted walls. And while I was busy swelling up like a balloon, buying bigger shoes, and crossing my fingers for a July birthday - Aaron was busy basking in a well-earned promotion himself.
To our pleasant surprise, I woke up one Saturday morning fairly confident that we were about to have a baby. Thirty-six hours later we were parents! Graham Alexander made his debut on August 4th, about two hours before my own official birthday (and just in time to watch the Cowboy's season opener). ;)
We headed home with our perfect little boy with just enough time to visit with his Godparents before I had to go back to the doctor. I was diagnosed with postpartum preeclampsia which automatically earned a 48 hour stay in the hospital for mommy (with a very tired daddy and newborn in tow). Aaron did such an amazing job taking care of the two of us in his new role while I was unable to be there for them. But even God has His hands in our struggles and used them to remind us of His faithfulness.
Aaron went back to work and I relished in 10 weeks at home. Our good little sleeper and mommy got into a routine filled with napping, watching Ellen, and completing the occasional chore. The twins turned a year old in September and managed to stir up their own bit of trouble. It is only fitting that, since we are best friends with the human-neighbors, Dillon and Draper be best friends with the canine-neighbors as well. It wasn't long before they'd managed to dig a "friendship-tunnel" to one another. Unfortunately we had to nip that in the bud.
In October, Aaron and I began to feel a little more mobile. He treated me to a date night at a dueling piano bar while the Aunties watched our little guy. I was mentally preparing myself to return to work in a few short weeks and struggling a bit with breastfeeding (my good sleeper was not a good eater). We found a wonderful in-home daycare for Graham which made the transition back to the 9-5 a lot easier. And we celebrated Halloween as a minion family of three right after Aaron returned from a man-cation (can I say that?) in Corpus.
We began leading our couples small group in November in preparation for starting our own group come Spring. We are so excited about this venture. As much as we absolutely love our giant-small group now, I know that God is going to do so many great things as we multiply! Speaking of multiplying, Graham has a little cousin on his way. We were able to drive down to San Antonio for a few days to celebrate with soon-to-be Micah's parents. And the trip was so lovely that we did it again for Thanksgiving. November also made our family a little older and wiser - with Aaron turning 26 this year.
Icemageddon/Icepocalypse hit North Texas early in December, giving us several unexpected days to keep cozy in our home. We went and "rescued" my sisters from their snowy apartments, who ended up staying with us for about a week. December was pretty much the month of parties. We attended a North Pole murder mystery dinner party, a gingerbread house constructing fiesta, an elegant we-need-a-reason-to-get-dressed-up social and several white-elephant shindigs. All of the former being in some way or another associated with our Life Group. 
And finally, we rounded out our third year of marriage by hosting Christmas at our humble abode and enjoyed visits from the Burns', the Haswell's, the Mayo's, and Santa, of course. Not to be left out of the festivities, Graham woke up at 11:58 p on New Years Eve, just in time to get smothered in kisses for 2014. It has been a life-changing year for Aaron and I, no doubt. We have been completely astounded at the amount of love and grace and peace that God has brought into our life. One can only imagine what we will have done 365 days from now but we are looking forward with joy and anticipation.
May the next year be as wonderful of a whirlwind for you as it has been for us. May God put you into uncomfortable situations so He can comfort you. May you walk through the desert so He can be your refuge. May you experience just a fraction of the love we were showered with this year and may it draw you closer to Jesus, too.
Happy New Year!
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