January: I began a new job with ARTreach 180 working with middle school youth. What an impact that has had on my life! ARTreach students, I love you. I hope I have had a fraction of the impact on your lives that you have had on mine.
February: Taylor started a new job that stretched us with juggling family roles. 12-8 is a tough shift!
March: A tough month working on my boundaries, what I can control, what I can't, what I will accept, what I won't.
April: The hardest month of the year. It didn't start out that way. Taylor planned a trip to Callaway Gardens and we did the tree top adventure. Ziplining is fun! Traci Robinson, I think of you so often. My heart hurts often still, missing you. The image of your radiant smile I hold dear. I wish I'd said more the day Sheena and I came to the hospital. Many lessons you taught I will forever hold dear. I'm still working to grasp that you're not here with us.
May: This was the month that I got to rejoice with a few friends and their pregnancy announcements! My first baby turned 9!
June: I took a summer position with ARTreach 180 that combined North Campus and South Campus and also allowed me to work with some high school students. Truly a remarkable experience! Hubby and I enjoyed a little time celebrating our anniversary.
July: We celebrated Taylor's birthday. We spent a day at West Point Lake. Some sunglasses were lost. We can laugh now. We weren't at the time. Let me tell you Twilley men are serious about their sunglasses! Taylor went with the youth from our church to a conference. Life changing for him. Life changing for us.
August: The beginning of August took me to Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, NC for the last time. Mom, Paula, Parker, Grant, and I met Terry, Donna, and Brandi to welcome home TJ from Okinawa. We were joined by Billy and Mariel Nelson who brought Luke. They had graciously taken care of TJ's dog while he was away. TJ and Luke's reunion was the best!
I also began working at McDonough Methodist's Moms Morning Out program with my dear friends Allison and Angela. These 1 and 2 year olds are darling!
September: TJ finished his time in the Marine Corps and moved back to Georgia! The Twilleys love that! The new semester of ARTreach 180 began. South Campus is doing 7-12 grade now. I began a new position as Assistant Director. Kelly rocks in creativity. Tony rocks the drama and encouragement. I keep it all organized and try to get the students talking on topic every day. Have I said how much I love these kids and my job? We got involved in a lifegroup with some other families from our church. Let me say that these people are such a special group. 2014 is going to be great as we continue having fellowship with one another.
October: We moved! We are grateful for the connection that led to this. Brad amd Lanie Beth Sinclair have truly been a godsend. TJ and Luke joined us. It took 3-4 days before Luke decided it was okay to be left home alone with me. He loves me now. I started spending Fridays with 2 special little girls. I've quickly come to love them.
November: We traveled to Naples, FL for Austin and Emily's wedding. She was of course beautiful! TJ saved the day by going imto the dumpster to get something that meant a lot to the bride. He made a great best man, and Grant was such a cute ring bearer. Taylor got a promotion and new working hours! Having him home in the evenings is going to be fabulous! We hosted Thanksgiving at our house this year. It wasn't nearly as stressful as I thought it might be. We enjoyed it!
December: Brandi came to visit and stayed with us for 3 weeks. It was lovely. (It would have been better if she had stayed!) We did a little hosting with my aunt and uncle just before Christmas. I sure do enjoy hosting! My baby turned 5! We rounded out the year building a fort in the living room to spend a cozy New Year's Eve with the boys.
God has great plans for us in 2014! That I am sure.
