(Edit: Photo by the amazing, talented, and oh-so-fun Jennifer Grigg. She travels.)
Happy New Year!
I have a secret: I happen to love Mondays. I love the "fresh start" they invite; the upped energy, the new possibilities, the open opportunity... and I love the first day of the month for the same reason. So a new year, well, that is King. There is a feeling of I can do anything! I be anyone! I can climb anywhere -- just watch me! All I have to do is name it! So, with the hubbub of the holidays and the emotions of getting my daughter out the door (more on that later) somewhat quieted, I will spend a few days doing just that: naming where I want to go. But before I settle in for a week of goalsetting, I thought I'd follow Anna's lead and begin the new year by paying a bit of homage to the old.
:: January found me awaiting for the arrival of my babe, busy, teaching, preparing, crocheting, sewing...
:: And in February she arrived, perfectly and perfect, to be greeted by a roomful of joyful siblings and Evan on speaker phone.
:: March found me sleepless, editing during naps and feeding breaks, still finding storytime and dinner time, but not much in the way of "me" time!
:: April took me to Tahoe for a much-needed break with my Sweetheart and the littlest crew member.
:: In May we took the entire crew to Goblin Valley for some tumbling through the sand and late-night cocoa under the stars. Inadvertnetly, we even packed an extra chair for Evan.
:: June brought my birthday, new list of need-to-do's, Art City Days, plenty of plein air painting, and welcoming Evan back from his exchange year in Germany.
:: July was all about the book! What? I haven't posted about the book?? More on that later, too!
:: August: still the book, but we also managed the Park City Art's Festival, a birthday party for a sassy three-year-old, and a jaunt to Moab with the littles.
:: September already?? Did I mention I was working on a book? With a newborn? And a houseful of homeschoolers? And teenagers?? In between we made it to the Spring City Studio Tour and managed plenty of "Arting" and "Spilling" with the apprentice set.
:: Thank heaven for deadlines! In October we jetted to Portland where I got to see the actual first printing of The Moonlight Message! We also shot JB's videos. Oh my! All very bloggable, but, well, when would I have??
:: November brought us all a much needed vacation to the Happiest Place on Earth. I could go on here about the three year old and the princesses, but that's another post...
:: December already? Where has the year gone! Away, I'm afraid, along with my pretty daughter, who is off to the MTC and then Argentina for a year and a half. This one deserves a whole essay on that staid, tidy walk disappearing into the snow, nothing but a tiny purple coat and a handmade shawl between her and the whole world...
It was a full, raw, fierce and wonderful year. Thank you, 2010.
And Welcome, 2011.
TAKE ME TO YOUR HEART.....LISTENING TO YOUR HEART.....BRING ME FOR AWAY.....
Posted by: Air Jordan 13 | February 28, 2011 at 12:35 AM
Happy New Year, Denice!!
Posted by: beki | January 05, 2011 at 08:03 AM
What a beautiful family! And most interesting year. MORE more -- most of those bullets beg for more info (the book, the disappearing walk in the snow, etc.) Happy New Year to you and your family!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | January 04, 2011 at 10:14 AM
Love you. Love your family. Love your post except it made me cry. Which is bad because I am at work. That's what I get for reading your blog when I am supposed to be working.
Posted by: Dona | January 03, 2011 at 08:20 PM
What a wonderful year! I love you guys.
Posted by: Alecia | January 03, 2011 at 06:30 PM
BEEEEEautiful family! Congrats on the missionary and the Sterling scholar! Front page of the Springville Herald. Aren't you glad we documented the Provo Tabernacle!?!
Posted by: Jennifer Grigg | January 03, 2011 at 01:21 PM