Top Moments of 2013

Happy New Year, everyone!  I had this post all typed up and ready to post on New Year's Eve, but apparently that never happened!  So, I'm going to go ahead and post it as-is, and you can pretend you are reading it on New Year's Eve :)

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Hey everyone!  Joe and I got back home today.  It's great to be back after about 10 days of traveling all over the Southeast!

Before we enter 2014, I wanted to take a look back and share some of my favorite moments from 2013 with you.  These will appear in chronological order.

1. Beginning the New Year in New York

Joe and I spent New Year's Eve in New York visiting his brother.  Even though the trip was technically in 2012, it was a really fun time.  We even got to see the ball drop without waiting in Times Square all day long!

2. Seeing a Manatee in Person

Also in January, Joe and I went to Blue Springs Park and got to see manatees!  I've been obsessed with manatees since 4th grade, so seeing one in the wild was so very exciting!!  I look forward to seeing them again this winter.

3. Running My First Half Marathon

After randomly deciding to sign up for a half marathon, I actually completed the Disney Princess Half Marathon in February of 2013.  I was not a runner before, but I am so glad to call myself a runner now!  I felt so accomplished after this run, and I look forward to running many more in the future (God-willing).

4. Visiting Kristie and Joe in Seattle

I had a blast spending my spring break out in Seattle with Kristie and Joe!  We enjoyed a day in Bainbridge, rode a ferry, ate some new-to-me foods, saw Mt. Rainier, visited the Microsoft compound, and hung out with a bunch of my friends that live out there.  What a great visit!

5. Taking the SCHS Key Club Officers to the Key Club Conference

I sponsored the Key Club at the school I taught at last year, and I had a great time with the three officers who went to DCON with me.  We learned a lot about the club and how to make it better.  It was great bonding experience, too, and we were all fired up to make Key Club even more awesome!

6. Seeing My Brother Graduate from VT

My brother graduated with his Master's degree this year.  I had a wonderful weekend with family and enjoyed celebrating Eric's great accomplishment!

7. Vacation with My Family at Emerald Isle

Joe and I joined my parents, brother, aunt, and uncle for a week at the beach in Emerald Isle, NC.  It was a fun week of sun, putt-putt, good food, games, and quality family time.  Yay family vacation!

8. Our First Wedding Anniversary

Joe and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary!  It was a low-key day, but I enjoyed celebrating our first year of marriage.

9. Valerie's Wedding and Bachelorette Party

Valerie and Nick got married this year, and the celebrations leading up to her wedding were fantastic!  It all started with the Bachelorette Party in NYC.  It was a perfect girls' weekend to send Valerie off to marriage-land!

The wedding weekend itself was wonderful, too.  It was a beautiful wedding, and I had a blast celebrating with her, Nick, and all our friends.  Congrats, Valerie and Nick!

10. Lots of Visitors
2013 was the year of visitors!  Joe's mom and sister came to visit a few times,  Andrew and Jacqui stopped through on their way to their cruise,

Krista and Josh (and Bubba!) spent July 4th with me,

my parents and brother came to visit,

and Kristie and Joe also came to see us!

We loved all of our visitors this year.  I hope there will be many more in 2014!

11. Starting a New Job

2013 brought about a new opportunity for me.  I took a job as a math coach!  Even though taking the job brought some turmoil, I believe I made the right decision in taking the job and have enjoyed the new challenge!

12. Fall Travels for Football

Joe and I got to see football games at both of our alma maters: Georgia and Virginia Tech.  In doing so, we got to see lots of friends and family, which is always a good time!

13. Attending the Living Proof Live Event

Beth Moore, one of my favorite Bible study writers and Christian speakers, came to Daytona Beach in November.  I was blessed to be able to attend the conference.  God spoke to me about many things, and I hope that I will carry those lessons with me in to 2014!

There you have it!  There were many, many more awesome moments of 2013, but I wanted to do 13 of them for the year.  I hope you have a wonderful time ringing in the New Year!  I'll see y'all next year! (hehe, favorite New Year's joke)

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I'll be back later today (or tomorrow...lots of cleaning to do today!) with the regularly scheduled posts :)

Question for you: What was your favorite moment of 2013?  I'd love to hear about it!