Out with the old...in with the New

The girl cousins at Christmas

Here we are...New Year's Eve.  Another year is coming to a close and I am looking forward to 2012 ending and 2013 beginning.  2012 has been a year of ups and downs for my family.

All the cousins

The good memories: 8 weddings (2 of which were close friends of the family), traveling to Florida for Thanksgiving, traveling to Dayton to see my brother perform, meeting new friends in grad school, starting grad school and having a 4.0 GPA after 3 semesters, cousins graduating, running my first 5k, Christmas with the whole family at our house, finding an apartment to move into before the end of the year, having a job lined up for the new year

My new living room

The not so good memories: Mark's robbery, losing my job, mom leaving her job, friends/students families deaths, not being able to stay in the apartment, Mark leaving the band (also a good thing)

My bedroom

Kitchen

Looking back...I guess the good memories out number the not so good.  The not so good memories just out weigh the good.  I know my family and I are welcoming 2013 with open arms...Happy New Year everyone!

Bathroom

Dining room and entryway :)

Christmastime is here

The family at Thanksgiving

Mark, Grandma, and I at a free concert in Ocala

The family at Thanksgiving (minus Mom who was taking the picture) 

Grandma and Grandpa with the grandkids

LVC Music we sang at a friend's Lessons and Carols concert

It's Christmas Eve...2012 is almost over...and I haven't posted in over a month.  A lot has gone on and reflecting back on the past month, this has been the highlight of the year.  I had my last wedding of the year in Pittsburg, visited my grandparents for Thanksgiving in Florida, and I finally GOT the job I interviewed for the beginning of November :)

My keys to my new place!

This will be a new exciting job.  I'll be teaching general music and band lessons to middle school students.  I'll be moving after Christmas down to that area and I can't wait.  It's a new adventure and a new year.  2012 has not been the best year...in fact talking with my mom we think this may have been the worst year for the family to date.  We're praying 2013 is a better year and it's already looking to be promising.  I have a job and an affordable apartment, my mom has a new job she's excited for, and my brother may have a full time job.

Tony, Me, and Steve at the Youth Group Ugly Sweater Party

I'll post more later, but I'll leave some pictures over the past few weeks :)  Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

Aaron, my date, and I to Holly's wedding :)

Holly and Jared's wedding :)

A candle lit for the Newtown shooting <3