2013

The first day of the year.  What a good day.  A blank page.  A new start.  It’s like a birthday, of sorts.  A day that calls for a cake and candles.  The bidding a farewell to a year gone by and laying out the welcome mat for a new year.  A year of possibilities.  A year of unknowns.

I love the anticipation this day puts in so many of us.  All over I hear people say, I wonder where we will be next year. . . what will next year bring?. . . I hope that next year. . . I resolve that next year I will. . . and on and on. 

I am prone to reflection.  I have a tendency to analyze. . . or, er, over-analyze.  I am dreamer, bent toward hope, filled with anticipation.  A new year only heightens these things.  Last year I wrote the following. . .

I’m not one for resolutions and I’m not making one now.  What I know for
sure is that I’m not done yet.  This year I will continue to explore
and discover. . . myself and the world.  There are dreams hidden in my
heart, dreams that need to see the light of day.  Dreams that will see
the light of day.  On those blank pages, I anticipate facing more
fears, becoming more courageous, and becoming more who I was created to
be.

. . . I just read these words to Chad and he nodded, knowingly.  I had no idea when I wrote those words that I was writing the script for 2012. . . but I was.  There is more, though.  You see, I believe that life is a process and that people are like onions.  We are far from one-dimensional.  We, you and I, have layers and layers.  2012?  It was just the beginning. 

The process that began in 2012 will roll into 2013, I have no doubt.  There will be ups and downs.  There will be times of joyfulness and the year will hold it’s fair share of trials, too.  Whatever the case, I feel ready.  Ready to dive in head first and experience all that lies ahead. 

But first. . . some of my favorite moments of 2012. . .


I have much for which to be thankful. . . and thankful is what I feel.  The memories we made this year are locked in a treasure chest in my heart.  Chad, Charlie, Chanelle and Meadow make life what it is.  They make life beautiful.


I anticipate change ahead.  I expect some stretching.  I foresee opportunities for growth.  And while I don’t know all the details and there is no map to follow, I’m quite sure that the details don’t really matter.  In essence, to 2013 I can say this. . . I’m ready.

All my best to each of you in this New Year. 

  • Lisa@Pocketfuls - January 1, 2013 - 2:41 pm

    Happy New Year, Summer! I wish you and your family another year of making wonderful memories together to treasure always. I'm looking forward to seeing where your personal journey takes you in 2013! xoReplyCancel

    • Summer - January 3, 2013 - 3:16 am

      Thank you, Lisa! Wishing you all the best as well!!ReplyCancel

  • Lissa Forbes - January 1, 2013 - 5:15 pm

    OMG, Summer … the picture of Meadow in the white sweater belongs somewhere … somewhere that gets exposure … in an ad for something sweet and soft and innocent. Of all these images, that one took my breath away!

    I love that at such a young age, your Chanelle is taking an interest in photography. But I guess she could hardly miss that you have a camera in your hands at all times! ;->

    One day you must put all these blog posts in a book for your children. I do believe you are are capturing their childhoods like no other mother (or father) I know. Do it while you can as they may baulk when they get to adolescence. My kids hate to have their pictures taken.

    I remember those ruffled socks. My mother used to make me wear ones that matched my outfits. Must be one of my earliest memories that one day I just didn't want to wear them … must have been a 2-3 year old temper tantrum. LOL

    Happy New Year to you, my friend!ReplyCancel

    • Summer - January 3, 2013 - 3:18 am

      Oh, you are just TOO kind. Thank you for these very sweet and encouraging words, Lissa. Someday (I really hope) I will put this all in a book for my kiddos. Thank you for always stopping by and showering me with you genuine kindness.

      Happy New Year to YOU!!ReplyCancel

  • Sassytimes - January 2, 2013 - 1:52 am

    I wish you nothing but amazing things for 2013! I love looking back at all these moments. Gosh, all the kids changed (and grew) so much! It's really amazing what a year does.ReplyCancel

  • Ky • twopretzels.com - January 2, 2013 - 2:37 am

    Loved this post. And I am so pleased that you're "prone to reflection" because I like to reflect right along with you.

    Hugs.

    Here's to an incredible 2013.ReplyCancel

  • Iris Took - January 2, 2013 - 7:22 pm

    Fabulous! I second what Ky said.
    Random – how do you store all of your photos? Are they backed up on a hard drive or do you have them all digitally?ReplyCancel

    • Summer - January 3, 2013 - 3:20 am

      Yes, my photos are backed up on a hard drive. It's just easier to keep things clean–especially with the insane amount of pictures I take. 🙂 Why do you ask?ReplyCancel

    • Iris Took - January 3, 2013 - 2:16 pm

      @ Summer – I am just curious because I had this ENORMOUS panic in November when I thought all of my pictures were deleted from Snapfish (they were not, I was temporarily insane), but I got to thinking I should use a better form of storage. I wanted to know what the experts do. I think I will post about it. Thanks!!!!ReplyCancel

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

*

*