Goodbye and Hello

Feeling nostalgic today, as I typically do entering the last day of a year.  

What a year this has been!

Our life has been full. Sometimes blissfully full and sometimes frustratingly full. But always full.

Just some thoughts over the past year, as we close out 2014.

Polar Vortex:

 I hated the Polar Vortex. {Is that clear enough for you?} I hated the subzero temps, dripping faucets, frozen pipes, icy roads, bitter winds, and ridiculous heating bills. I hated white knuckle drives, two hour {one way} commutes, and coming home in tears day after day because of the harrowing drives. But in all of that week-after-week madness, I'm ridiculously grateful for the safety God granted me and Ryan too - as we drove {and sometimes slid} down treacherous roads to get to work. I'm ridiculously grateful for a warm home and the money to pay the high heating bills - and the fact that all of our faucets never froze at the same time. And I'm grateful for a husband who likes to play in the snow - and who did just that so we could make memories together.

County Tours:

This past year, we ushered in our new project of visiting every county in Indiana. There are 92 counties. We've been to 7. This could take a while. But oh my goodness - what fun we had! We've been to covered bridges, coffee shops, courthouses, statue trails, state parks, quilt trails, and abbeys as we covered the miles of those seven counties. We've tromped through snow and pedaled through lakes - and a little bit of everything in between. Looking forward to more of this project in 2015 and so very grateful for a husband who embraces these kinds of projects with me!

All Kinds of 60th Celebrations!

 60 years ago...many things happened that impacted the people Ryan and I have become today. And in 2014, we got to celebrate four of them. Ryan's mom and dad were born 60 years ago, and last February, we celebrated Ryan's dad's 60th. In December, we celebrated his mom's birthday! 60 years ago in March, Ryan's Grandma and Grandpa Echelbarger were married {they're Allen's parents} - and 60 years ago in August, my parents were married. So in the space of one year, we were able to honor two marriages and two lives - and we are thankful for all of them. What an incredible heritage!

The Journey of the House.

 Oh this house. This wonderful, infuriating house. When 2014 began, we fully believed we had buyers who would be signing paperwork on a secured loan in no time. Instead, they moved out, leaving behind a massive amount of work and months of additional bills for us. Ryan and I spent many days working on the house, Ryan stopped by multiple times a week on his way home from work to maintain it throughout the year, and we waited...and prayed...and waited...and prayed...for the sale to come. It was the single most exhausting event of our year. A massive faith-shaker, budget-drainer, and headache-inducer. A piece of life we are certainly thankful to leave behind. A big blue weight lifted from our shoulders. Still celebrating this answer to prayer!

Our Blended Families.

 One of my greatest joys in this married life Ryan and I have is the way our families have blended together. Mother's Day...Father's Day...Christmas Day...we had the unusual blessing of spending time with both our families under one roof {or sky, as weather permitted}. I know some families don't blend well, so the fact that ours enjoy spending time with each other is a blessing we don't take for granted. And it was a treat to be the hosts on Mother's Day...to welcome them to our home!

Freelan Family Vacation!

 This year was a first for the Freelans...a family vacation with everyone. I'm not sure this has ever happened in my lifetime. We took a long weekend and went to Shipshewana, Indiana {Amish country} and had a truly wonderful time hanging out together, eating, riding bikes, shopping, swimming, you name it. We are scattered so far that we have no idea when/if a vacation like this will happen again...I'm grateful for the memories made.

The Great Vehicle Swap of 2014.

 We began the year with twice as many vehicles as drivers in the house. Then the old blue Neon died a tragic timing-belt death one summer evening as Ryan made his way home from work...and we knew Old Trusty {Ryan's name for him...I called him the Asphyxiator} was on his last leg. So we bid a fond farewell to Old Blue and the Asphyxiator, and said hello to a new work truck for Ryan. And by new, I mean very used...but next to the Asphyxiator, anything looks brand new! Old Bandy has been reliable and free of toxicity. He's a blessing! {The truck AND Ryan!}

The Great Dental Event of 2014.

I learned this year that I had advanced periodontal disease, and the beginning of my "rehab" for it was to undergo a 5 hour, sedated procedure for extensive cleaning, fillings, and repair. I was really nervous about it, but God was so gracious to guide me to an office that was kind, understanding, and wonderful to work with. Ryan took the day off work to drive me to and from my appointment and took care of me in its aftermath. While the procedure could never be described as fun, it can be described as successful and I've been told if things continue as they are now, I should be fully recuperated in two years!

Hosting and Co-Hosting

 Lynne took an extended vacation this year, giving me the opportunity to solo-host Mid-Morning five times in a row. Three interviews and two BLT shows - one of which I got to share with Ryan as my co-host. Though I was appropriately nervous about hosting on my own, I had a blast doing it, and that show with Ryan is one of my favorite memories of our entire marriage. We had a great time together and our listeners loved having him right there to talk alongside me. Being able to work together for the day AND share the airwaves was pretty much the best day ever.

House Repairs

 There are fun home repairs...and then there are necessary home repairs. This year leaned heavily toward the necessary. After the freeze and thaw dance of the Polar Vortex, we had all our old pipes replaced throughout the house and clear out to the street...a long and messy project that you can't see, but we know was a good and necessary investment. And then this fall...the new roof! Ryan still says "Look at that good-lookin' roof!" every time we drive toward our home. While this is not how we would have preferred to spend our money this year, I'm thankful we were able to make these repairs!

The "Cations." Vay and Stay.

  We had a great year of travels...mostly near and not so much far. A long weekend at Lake Webster with Ryan's family, the aforementioned trip to Shipshewana with my family, our long weekend getaway to Chicago to celebrate our second anniversary, a glorious week AT HOME to rest and watch the Olympics, a long weekend to Holland, Michigan to celebrate our birthdays, a long weekend at Holiday World just for fun, and Ryan's birthday gift from me: a trip to West Virginia with the guys for whitewater rafting.

Two Beautiful Years.

 And capping off the year - the chance to celebrate 2 years of marriage with my handsome husband. He is giving, loving, and flat out fun to be around. His surprises to me for our anniversary dinner were nothing short of spectacular, and our weekend together in Chicago was a much needed rest after our very full year.

No idea what 2015 holds for us. We continue to pray for God's leading over our lives, answers to questions, and many more wonderful memories and moments of joy.

Praying, as always, that those who come behind us will find us faithful.