What A Long Strange Trip It's Been

We stepped into 2012 inspired by the word "grow".  We spent most of January 
taking photos, hanging out in the back yard, going to the museum, and 
playing mama.

In February, we celebrated Mardi Gras, went big for Valentine's Day, my pumping 
days came to an end, and the girls danced their hearts out.

We spent the entire month of March outdoors.  We gardened, played in the dirt, went 
hiking, field tripped, drew on the sidewalk.  I shared 11 things, redefined my values, 
and Brees went exploring.

In April, we celebrated Isabelle's 8th birthday with the best slumber party ever.  We 
spent time with family over Easter weekend, had a big Easter Sunday dinner, and 
Isabelle made her first Communion.  Spring break was refreshing, and I shared some 
baby steps to a happy, healthy heart here, here, and here.

May was for family, Mother's Day, and being enough.  We had our very own 
Griswold Family moment, Isabelle reflected on the second grade, Shawn and I had our 
first date night in forever, we opened up our pool for summer, and hit the safari park for 
an end of school celebration.

In June, our lives were turned upside down.  Shawn was almost killed in a 
horrific accident and we spent over three weeks in a hospital in Las Vegas.  The 
entire month was a blur as we focused every ounce of our energy into bringing 
him back to life.

July brought us on a 26 hour car ride home to Louisiana, finally reunited with our 
daughters after weeks away while Shawn recovered in the hospital.  We were so blessed 
to be surrounded by family and friends, they even made my 33rd birthday incredible 
despite all the heartache we were experiencing.  The separation forced me to 
wean Brees and we all worked really hard to move on and begin our lives again.

August was a blur of doctor's appointments, work commitments, and survival.  
Isabelle started the third grade, cousins came to visit, Hurricane Isaac hit Louisiana, 
and I focused on the power of the positive when Shawn went back into the hospital and 
our world seemed to be falling apart.

September brought better health and big accomplishments, we all began to wake from 
the fog of the accident and learned to strum again.  We celebrated life with the 
best girlfriends a girl could ever ask for, football season started, and Shawn and I fell 
even deeper for each other after 12 years of marriage.

In October, we stepped out in the cooler weather for family time and best friends, 
enjoyed our annual family costume party, picked out pumpkins, and cheered on a 
cheering Isabelle.  Brees had surgery and we went trick or treating.

November brought Veteran's Day and Election Day and we were so excited!  We 
celebrated year 2 of our baby Brees: the explorer and little sister.  We had a 
Yo Gabba Gabba party with lots of cousins and gifts.  We escaped to the beach 
for Thanksgiving and found our inner peace again.

December was for Advent traditions, school plays, Christmas cards, and
decking the halls.  My best friend came to visit and Shawn and I moved forward
after hearing disappointing news.  We celebrated Christmas and savored every moment
of this blessed holiday.

What a year this has been, so many twists and turns and lessons learned.  As I look back
on all that we have been through and the many ways in which we have grown, I can not
help but feel ridiculously happy.  And grateful.  And blessed.