Well, we’ve made it through to the evening, after a few rough patches in the day!

After posting this morning, I doubled over in pain. My “monthly visitor” came for a visit, and I spent most of the next few hours under a heating pad!

After a nap, some tea, and lots of acetaminophen, I woke up refreshed! We all went out shopping for the house, and then stopped into a nice restaurant for a bit of dinner. The kids sang “Happy Anniversary” to us, and we came home.

We’ve had our family prayer time for the night, and all the kids are jammified, with teeth brushed, and in bed!

As I look back not only on the calendar year, but this year of marriage, I am deeply thankful. This time last year, we thought the children would have just arrived. Not only did that not happen, but it would be over seven (long) months before it would!

So, I’m thankful that the kids are actually here, and that our dream has come to fruition! Though it feels a lot differently than I thought it would, and the adjustment overnight (understatement?), we feel blessed.

My husband and I have weathered many things in eighteen years, and this year was no different. But, we’ve come through it together, stronger than ever, and with God’s help, grace and guidance.

I look forward to the coming year, should God grant us time. I look forward to continuing to grow spiritually, and in our relationship with each other. I look forward to continuing to build toward a few dreams we have, should God will. I look forward to becoming a better individual, so that I can become a better wife, mother, daughter and friend.

I thank God for growing older, wiser and prayerfully, more mature in Him. But, I also pray that I don’t grow complacent, but rather I keep “press[ing] on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14)

Yes, we’re closing the book on Chapter 18 in our marriage book and I can’t wait to see what Chapter 19 holds!

Photo credit: Stock XChng