HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A year ago yesterday, as I prepared to leave for the party I'd been invited to, I packed up my car (nervously) with the food I'd made, drove to the party, and then drove away from the party, circled Marion for 45 minutes trying to work up the courage to go back...and then I proceeded to have the most miserable New Year's Eve of my life. When I arrived back home after midnight, I sat on the rug in my bedroom, crying out to the Lord...Is THIS the new start?

Yesterday as I prepared to leave for the party I'd been invited to, I paced slowly back and forth in the bedroom, vividly remembering the year before. And my heart felt hope. 2010 had its place in my life. It was a year God Himself consecrated. But almost like a scene from some Lifetime movie, I felt like I was being given that moment a second time. A chance to restart. A chance to choose hope and joy instead of fear and uncertainty. A chance for God to show off His mercy.

So.

I donned this cuteness:

...and packed up this deliciousness...

...and drove confidently to my party. No hesitation this time. No second-guessing. I am a child of God who has the blessing of friends...and I determined to enjoy. And when I arrived, I was showered with all sorts of love...

...from a sweet thing who no longer fits neatly on my lap but declared every time she got up to get another snack that I needed to keep my lap open so she could return to it...

...and the littlest man who is just learning to say my name and has a rather significant affinity for Wii remotes...

...and the resident ham who said over and over tonight, "Let's take another picture of me!!!!"

...my good friend Joy, who (whom? who?) I only ever get to see at occasions such as this...

...and we had FUN. Chris made some (uh-mazing) Godiva chocolate coffee, which, when paired with a spoonful of sugar and some hazelnut creamer, had this girl going in the happy coffee dance!

Brothers playing together quietly on the floor is something that deserves to be recorded because it happens so rarely!

And just when you think you can't eat another bite, you find there might be room for one more "cheese and salami cracker sandwich."

And there's never too little time to snuggle on the couch.

Or make plastic cup hats.

And finally...after a round of Despicable Me and The Pacifier and getting TOTALLY whipped (by kids!) in Wii bowling...it was time for the moment of honor!

...properly celebrated by a choice of wild berry, peach, or grape. (Grape, please!!) (And just in case you can't read the fine print - this is the NON-alcoholic kind, thankyouverymuch.)

Ringing in the new year with good friends who have loved me into their family for a full thirteen years (I think!) now.

This one is serious about his new year. (This is why the non-alcoholic disclaimer earlier was extra important.)

This one...well...he will be. Maybe next year.

Abba, You have cared for me so tenderly in my desert year. Thank You for the stream of hope in this new year. And this one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14) I do love You so. Bring my morning.