Good Year 2013

I'm always reminded of how filled this year has been when I review it in photos.

[as seen in 2010, 2011, and 2012]

Here's to 2013… A good year. 

A year of brokenness and beauty, a year of abroad adventures, races, mountains, and city risks, 

a year of new community - new church and new friendships - of celebrations and mourning, 

a year of leaving a job to pursue a graduate degree,

and most importantly: a year where God showed me His Hand in my life, 

His plans over mine, His suffering and His glory,

His goodness, faithfulness, and unconditional love...

and the freedom that only comes from life with Him.

Gatsby New Years at our apt. Gold wallpaper, a homemade bar, and photobooth fun :)

Ringing it in with these guys.

Sibs (+ Jillian) ski trip / playtime in Denver 

Spending my days with these dear Kinders...

Teaching alongside my assistant

Deciding to paint out floor… not realizing it would take 3 weeks.

and then, that day it was completed. 

Adventures with Ash… morning coffee, donuts, life.

New Years Resolution to Take Risks made it's first appearance in winter lake jumps.

Birthday adventures for Ash!

Californiaaaaa for Spring Break

Roadtrip to SLO

dreamy days with my Suzy

National Donut day!

Bridesmaiding in Captiva Island, FL

Jackie gets married!

True Life: We live in Wrigleyville
(actually it's Lakeview, but it feels like Wrigley sometimes…!)

Teachers go dancing

Spring adventures with Mikey!

My best friend bros

Family time

Backyard dinners at the Lily

Steph gets married! Celebrating with best friends Chicago community :)

The last weeks with Sonj before she moved to Seattle

The Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup!
And we celebrate with free drinks + bread at Little Goat

Milwaukee half marathon! Finished in 1:58!

Summer in a backpack

Mikey took me up my first 14'er: Bierstadt!

Nights in Wicker Park

Free Spirit photo shoot

These 2 good friends come to Chi!

Jenny celebrates the fourth in Chi!

2nd annual Americake!

Camino de Santiago: walking 790km across Spain for a month

Celebrating my 27th in Santiago de Compostela with my best Camino friends

Returning to Chicago… and Jessica back to the Lily! (before she left us again…)

morning hangouts with Bets

Backyard summer dinners

Chicago river with friends

Nights that end in Karaoke

Starting graduate school at Wheaton College

Ester + Matt get married!

Life in Chicago with my bro

Fall Junto dinners

Being a graduate student

Apple picking with our community of friends

Thursday night prayer group with the 10 best women I know

Celebrating Ashley getting into nursing school at Rush

Roadtrip to Dayton

a weekend with Jenny!

Puppy Sitting… an experience we might not try again.

Fall weekend in Waupaca with our best friends

cozy cabin mornings with such good people

Friends and Flannel

Fall adventures with Britt

Halloween with the Kennedys

Putting the fur to use as Margot from Royal Tenenbaums

Backyard pumpkin carving parties

Fireball Country karaoke for Todd's bday

Odds game bets & a November lake jump

School field trips

celebrating Nate's bday on the curb with pie

Chicago Public Library days

Being students in the lily!

We are fur owners

Mikey comes home! Adventures around our suburban 'hood

Christmas Tree times

Co-leading the Kids Experience at Soul City Church Christmas Store 2013

our winter Gala season

Mikey proposes in Denver! and Daniel and I surprise :)

Galavanting around the city in search of perfect Christmas gifts

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Purchasing an animal for NYE photobooth…
and subsequently owning Louie for 3 days.

 

Black & White NYE at the Lily!

Ringing in 2014 with our best friends.

and a tribute to my Papa… In celebration of his life on earth, and new life in heaven.
He is the clearest and truest picture of the Father's love for me, and I am who I am because of my Papa.
He will be missed in 2014 - and years to come - but his legacy lives on through each member of our family.