2013 Favorites

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The new year is here, and I am officially saying goodbye to 2013 with a recap of some of my favorite things. 

Come reminisce with me.  

Here are my top favorites of the year...

1. Flower garden-Ever since my family moved to our new place two years ago, I was determined to start a garden in a little area in the backyard. I grew some veggies like green beans and zucchini. I am completely new to this gardening thing.  I wouldn't say that I have a green thumb or anything, but I am learning. I then decided to plant a bag of wild flower seeds in my backyard. Once they started to sprout up I felt so proud, especially since my 3 year old helped me with the whole process.  They were beautiful. All different colors and types. Every time I looked at them it was a constant reminder of God's beautiful handiwork.

      2. Colossians 3:17-And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus,    

           giving thanks through Him to God the Father.  One night my hubby and I were watching a 

           sports documentary about the life of a female basketball coach, that had been diagnosed     

           with cancer.  In the documentary they talked about her teenage son. Her son shared his 

           favorite verse, which was Colossians 3:17.  After I watched this documentary I read this verse 

           and it really  touched my heart. I realized that this was how I wanted to live my life. I know 

           that all I am is due to Jesus Christ in my life.

        

      3. Roses-When my hubby & I were dating it was kind of his tradition to give me roses for

          special occasions like Valentines Day or our anniversaries.  He knows how much I love 

          flowers so it was a very special gift.  After a few years of receiving the flowers I began to lose 

          excitement for them. I guess because I got used to them and the gift just lost that element of 

          surprise(of course I never told him that.)  Well fast forward years later and we are now 

          married, and real life takes over.  I begin to miss all those days when I received those 

          beautiful bouquets of flowers(I guess I had to learn a lesson in appreciation.) 

          One evening I was totally shocked when my hubby came home from work with a bouquet of

          roses.  They were all red, except one purple rose right in the middle, because he knows that's

          my favorite color. I was overwhelmed, and completely shocked. This time it was a gift just 

          because.

      4. Joyce Meyers conference-I am a big fan of Joyce Meyers so I was extremely motivated 

          for the opportunity to go see her live in Hershey Pennsylvania.  I worked it out that I would 

          go with my mom for a three day weekend, and it was also my birthday.  My mom is Deaf, so 

          at the conference we were able to sit in a reserved section for the Deaf, that is right up front. 

          I was even blessed with an unexpected opportunity to sign interpret part of the conference

          with the interpreter that was there.  I learned so much and gained so much information that

          I was able to bring home, and apply to my every day life.

     5. "Living Beyond Your Feelings" Joyce Meyers-This book was one of the awesome 

          resources I was gifted for sign interpreting at the conference.  To be honest I am not an avid

          reader, and it usually takes me quite a while to finish a book.  This book drew me in from the 

          very beginning. I buzzed right through it, and enjoyed everything that I got out of it.  It was 

          especially helpful for people like me, who need to learn to not react off my emotions, and 

          trust that God is in control.

     6. Service for Service Day-This was a day that my church decided to give up a normal 

         Sunday service, to go out and serve the surrounding community(read more here.)  It was 
         a great feeling to be able to take the focus off myself and my needs and put them on others 
         who have greater needs.  Plus my children were involved so it was a great opportunity for 
         them to learn a lesson in serving others.  


     7. Brown boots-I love fashion and especially being thrifty when it comes to fashion.  One of 
          favorite places to shop is the thrift store, and I just love getting a good deal. Even more, I love 
          getting clothes for free.  I always welcome hand-me-downs because another persons garbage 
          can always become my treasure.  Plus I just love the idea of getting something free and then 
          working it into my wardrobe.  Once I come up with just the right outfit, I have been known to 
          get a little excited. On Christmas I was at my sister's house and we were talking about boots. 
          My niece who is a stylish 17 year old, began to talk about a pair of  boots that she didn't want, 
          because they hurt her feet.  Well you know my ears perked up then, especially since my niece 
          and I are the exact same shoe size.  She was more than willing to give me her beautiful, 
         brown leather,  knee high boots.  They fit me perfectly and are so comfortable.  Now I 
         wear them almost every day since.   I don't even care that my hubby teased me, about the fact
         that I took the boots of my teenaged niece.  No need in wasting a good pair of boots.  I assured
         my niece that I would definitely return the favor.  
         


     8. Dylan's Candy Bar-This year my hubby and I decided that we wanted to spend more time
         in New York City, and take the kids as well, since there is so much you can do. 
         November 14th it was our 4 year anniversary(read more here.)  My hubby and I spent the 
         whole night in NYC. That was the first time we visited this wonderful candy store(aka candy 
         heaven, at least that's what I call it.) They have two floors of any candy you could think of.  
         The top floor is a little cafe with all kinds of treats, like cupcakes, doughnuts, and ice cream. 
         We enjoyed it so much.  We knew we would have to come back the next time and bring the 
          kids.  We decided to take the second trip there after Christmas, so we could have the chance
          to go to the Children's Museum, as well as see the tree at Rockefeller Center.  As soon as we 
          walked into the store our kids were in awe.  It was a great family time!

What are some of your favorites from 2013?