Our Five Ring Circus: Goodbye, 2013

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Goodbye, 2013

The end of the year is always bittersweet for me.  2013 went by SO quickly!  Every year seems to go by faster than the previous one.  I just want time to slow down a bit.

We had a great year!  It started off rocky, but everything worked out perfectly.  Our family has grown so much since Liam was born. He truly completed us. Everything feels so perfect right now and I find myself desperately trying to hold on to that feeling.

I hope 2014 is just as good to us!

One year ago today, Grant and I were ending the year on a date.  We went to see Les Miserables, and I was a mess.  An absolute mess.  Tears streaming down my face, out of control, sobbing mess.  And somebody was eating Chinese food in the theater.  It reeked of broccoli.  I love broccoli, but I found myself in a rage over the horrible smell.

That should have been the first sign that 2013 was going to bring us a huge surprise.

Later, at a party with our friends, I fell asleep on the couch after drinking two caffeinated drinks.  One caffeinated drink is enough to have me wired for hours.  That should have clued me in.

The following day, as I watched the Rose Parade with my friend, I began sobbing again.  Sign #3. 

I began to suspect, but didn't believe it, because I wasn't nauseous.  Fast forward a few days later.  As the hyperemesis kicked in, there was no doubt our lives were about to change! I was so positive, I never even took a pregnancy test.

2013 in a nutshell:  8 months being sick every single day, Grant started a new job, Lexie turned 6, Lily turned 2, Liam entered our lives and introduced us to Down Syndrome, my heart grew approximately 10 times its normal size, we had a hospital stay with Liam, Dylan turned 9, and we adjusted easily to being a family of six.

2013 was the year of change, learning, and growth. 2013 brought a huge blessing into our lives. Liam made our lives better.

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2013 was so good to us and I am so thankful. I'm looking forward to a 2014 full of love, fun, and lots of time spent with those we love most!

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13 comments:

  1. I'm so excited to see what 2014 has in store for your family and watch the pictures of your kids grow!!! Enjoy your New Year!!!

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  2. May the new year bring you tons of joy! Happy New Year!

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  3. So sweet!! I absolutely love the first picture of Liam!
    Hope 2014 is everything you want it to be. 2013 was a crazy one for us and I'm hoping for a calmer 2014.....

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  4. Happy new year to you! I love how Lily is holding a baby in the last picture too!

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  5. You've had one crazy, hectic year. Here's to hoping for an easier 2014 ;). So thankful for your blog, Stefanie :). I don't comment nearly as much as I should but I always read.

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  6. What an exciting year! May 2014 be a great one for your family.

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  7. What a whirlwind of a year for you and your family...I am sure spending the first 8 months puking (makes me cringe to type that) worth the following 4 months of pure joy!!! Wishing you all the best in 2014!

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  8. Happy New Year!! =) Your family had such an exciting year, glad I was able to follow along!!

    Kate

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  9. I always feel so bad for how sick you get with pregnancy :(
    But, you are right, Liam was the blessing of all blessings and already brings joy to others outside your family!
    Best wishes for the New Year!~
    ~Sara

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  10. I look forward to watching your family grow and love on each other in 2014.

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  11. Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family!

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  12. I love ringing in the new year with you lovely peeps! That New Years onsie is the best thing :)

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