So here it is 2014 in review!
Lucy:
The littlest Leppin turned 2 years old in January and did a lot of growing up this year. Lucy became quite the talker and played the role of family comedian-- saying and doing almost anything for a laugh. She preferred playing with "the big girls" and was a little shadow to both her sister and cousin. Lu Bug broke her arm over summer vacation but was quite the trooper during her ER visit and doctor's appointments. She loved everything Dora the Explorer and survived on mac and cheese and any and all carbs. At the end of this year we said goodbye to Lucy's crib and she (is on her way) toward being potty trained. Goodbye to our little baby!
Isabel:
Talk about a year of BIG CHANGES. Our little Bel turned 5 and started (all day) Kindergarten. I must admit the adjustment was hardest on mom and dad. We have been helping Isabel navigate school work and social situations and the teacher in me has found it enlightening to be sitting on the other side of the conference table this year. Bel has learned so much this school year and is now a beginning reader. She lost FOUR teeth so far............(tooth fairy will need to take out a loan soon) and wears size 7/8 clothing. She is truly a GIRL now.... an amazingly sophisticated vocabulary, a kind and sensitive heart and argument skills that could rival any lawyer. She is in her fourth year of dance (goodbye ballet -- hello hip-hop) and like every other American girl loved all things Elsa and Frozen this year.
The girls have developed a great friendship-- and though they can fight with the best of them-- are very loyal and protective of one another. It was wonderful this year to watch them learn how to really play together and depend on one another. My prayer is that they always treasure their friendship and remain as close as my sister and I are.
Jason:
A milestone birthday for Jason last December ( the big 4-0) resulted in us taking a wonderful vacation to Mexico together over Spring Break. This was our first vacation away from our kids-- and my first time back on a plane since the fiasco that was driving home from Las Vegas shortly after we were married. Ha ha! This time I actually boarded the plane and we flew back home-- landing in one piece and with just a (little) Rx help from my doctor :)
And with LASIK surgery earlier this year, Jason got to enjoy vacation without his glasses for the first time in 30+ years!) fun!!
J also received a pretty exciting promotion at work this year -- and passed his CFRE test - a fundraising certification that was beneficial for his career. Work definitely had its challenges and stressors in 2014, but overall Jason isfeeling blessed to be starting his third year with JourneyCare.
Me:
2014 was a good year for me too. Some big changes and growth -- and while that is not always comfortable for me I think I am better off for it. I ran a 5k and a 7k this year before hurting my foot. I wasn't able to walk well for about a week, and it made me nervous about running again in the future. I definitely fell off the wellness wagon at the end of the year and hope to get back to some healthier habits in 2015.
Probably the biggest change for me was opting to leave the classroom after 12 years of teaching middle school LA. And while I still get to work with students in my new position as building reading specialist, I am also working more with adults and administrators which has had its fair share of advantages and challenges. I still have a lot of energy and enthusiasm when it comes to education-- I am not sure I can imagine being in another field However, 2014 was a year that I was dangerously close to being "burned out" and I needed to make some type of change.. so whether or not I made the right decision remains to be seen.
Being a mom to these lovies was my number one job, challenge, and joy for 2014. I am still learning and loving right along with them but these two girls have made our little family complete. They are my best buds and I am lucky to have the type of job that lets me have longer breaks at home with them.
2014 was full of lots of other great events (our annual trip to IB, parties, celebrations, galas, fundraisers, nights out with my girl friends, a visit from Arkansas, holidays spent with relatives)
and it was full of challenging times (expensive home repairs, stomach flu, pink eye, drama with our condo renters, the passing of my Grandpa Joe) but what year doesn't come with both the good and the bad?
One thing that I am most proud of this year is the way our family has continued to pursue our walk with Christ. Jason and I served in our church's version of Sunday School this year (and although we found our time with the preschoolers VERY CHALLENGING) we were glad for the opportunity it gave us to be a part of the girls' experience at church. It has been cool to see Bel and Lu learning to pray and read their Bibles. We have become the leaders of our community group/ bible study that meets every other Friday at our house and although I would have never in a million years seen myself doing something like that five years ago-- it has been awesome to see how God has brought great Christian friends into our lives and helped us grow and stretch in our walk with Him.
As I look forward to the year ahead (2015) I am filled with anticipation, wonder and excitement about what is to come. When I was younger -- New Years was about starting a new diet, shopping the after Christmas sales, and looking forward to whatever milestone was next on my "to do" list. It probably sounds morbid-- but as you get older you realize that every year has the possibility of bringing great joy but also great sorrow. I wonder what my post for a 2015 Year In Review will entail? I hope it is more memories like these :
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