2013 in Review

Every year since my freshman year of high school I have made a 'yearbook' for that year. That means I have 15 yearbook albums and I am finishing number 16 today.  As I have done 15 times before, I pick a single word to describe the year in review and this year is no different.

My word for 2013: TRAVEL

Dare I say, 2013 has been my favorite year to date!  2006 was a close second because of the major milestones and life changes (that was the year I got engaged, ran my first marathon, bought a house, graduated from college and got married!) but this year has been my favorite.  The travels we experienced were incredible, but more importantly, I truly feel like this has been a year of personal and spiritual growth, realizing who I am as God designed me and becoming more comfortable with myself.  I might share more on that later, but for now, here are

My Top 10 highlights of 2013

(in chronological order since I truly couldn't rank them):
(click on the blue links to read the full story)

1. San Clemente, California Trip
January: We had a wonderful time with all of my family spending a week at a beach house.

2. Maui, Hawaii
February: We went on a week trip with Phil's company to Ka'anapali and Kapalua in Maui.

3. My 29th Birthday
March: For my final year in my 20's I wanted to be more spontaneous.

4. Jamaica
August: Just Phil and I took a trip to Jamaica to relax and enjoy time together.

5. Sprint Triathlon
August: I competed in my first sprint triathlon and LOVED IT!

6. Disneyland
September: We went to Disneyland for the first time and Emrie met Cinderella as soon as we walked in.

7. Tony and Rowena's Wedding
October: Phil's brother, Tony, married his wife Rowena in Los Angles and the girls were flower girls. The whole trip out there was so much fun.  The wedding was great, and spending time with my family was a blast.

8. Visiting Aunt Torrie
October: Our entire October was a blast, but driving 10 hours to see Aunt Torrie in Lancaster, PA was like right out of a storybook.  All we did was eat, play and eat.  I can't wait to do it again.

9. Phil's 30th Birthday
December: I can never pull off surprises for Phil, so his 30th birthday trip to Vegas was the BEST present I will ever be able to give him!

10. Bundle Up Buddy
This year was my first complete year running my Etsy shop. It has been a blessing in more ways than I could have EVER imagined.  I am beyond grateful for this experience.

 

A few honorable mentions that I would like to add are:

 

Scout Hollande Pettyjohn was born into our family (Phil's sister, Lindsey and her husband Pat are the proud parents)

 

Aven turned 1

 

The girls both started preschool

Just the parents had a nice alumni weekend at IU in September

 

2013 was a BLAST! I can't wait to see what 2014 holds!

 

 

The Christmas Story // In My Pictures

As I prepared my heart for Christmas, I worked my way through the Christmas story, focusing on each of the symbols and their significance to me in the moment.

 

"So Joseph also went up from the town of Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child." ~ Luke 2:4-5 // This was part of their journey, part of their commitment to following God's plan for their lives, their part in God's story for saving the world // Where are you in your journey?  Who are you influencing for Christ today?

 

"She gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." ~ Luke 2:7 // As his mother, Mary wrapped her son in all the comfort, love and protection she had // I am now wrapped in His GRACE, PEACE, EVERLASTING JOY and SALVATION because of that baby who chose to be born and die and OVERCOME death for ME and all humanity!!!

 

"And there were shepherds living out in the field nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of God shone around them, and they were terrified." ~ Luke 2:8-9 // The shepherds were diligent in herding their flock, especially as they were in the dark // I am beyond thankful for the blessing of Godly preschool teachers who are partnering with us to shepherd our children in the ways of the Lord.  Their training and investment in our girls have eternal affects.

"Suddenly a great company of heavenly hosts appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." ~ Luke 2:13-14 // We can rejoice because we are no longer held captive by our sins.  Not that I won't ever sin again, but now I can have peace that my sins no longer separate me from God.  I have freedom to live without guilt or worry and freedom to live life tot he fullest.

 

"Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." ~ Matthew 2:2 // "The star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed." ~ Matthew 2:9-10 // The Magi had been waiting for a sign.  They were looking and watching for the opportunity to worship the King and because of their vigilance, they found him!  // Every day God presents me with opportunities to see and serve him.  When I am attentive I see those signs and can act upon them.  what signs will he show us today if we are searching?

 

"On coming to the house, they saw a child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.  Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." ~ Matthew 2:11 // Many commentaries have been written about the significance of the Magi's gifts.  I am choosing this year to focus on the spiritual gifts God has blessed me with and ways I can use them to glorify Him. What are your spiritual gifts? Want to learn more about spiritual gifts? Go to www.spiritualgiftstest.com

"Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin will conceive and bear a son, and he shall be called Immanuel." ~ Isaiah 7:14 // God came to earth in human form, in flesh, to be with us and FOR US! I am thankful to spend Christmas day with my family celebrating that 'God is with us'!

#VanGelderChristmas

According to Instagram, here is how the Van Gelder's got in the Christmas spirit in 2013!

Our advent calendar

 

One of my favorite things about Christmas, wrapping gifts

 

Look who's back, our elf, Spot

 

Emrie got a little boost from daddy

 
Putting on the finishing touches

 

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great JOY for all the people." Luke 2:10

 

Yummy breakfast before we went to see Santa

Merry Christmas from the Van Gelder girls

 

 

Emrie asked Santa for a REAL baby this year.  She got a Baby Alive Doll instead:)

 

The Van Gelder girls at the Children's museum carrousel ride

First snow of Christmas, it had to be tasted

 

 

MOPS may have been canceled due to snow, but we did the craft anyway

Only 12 degrees outside and the girls had settled in for a long winter's nap

 

Those hands are about as sweet as the sugar cookies they decorated

 

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas (at least a pretty porch)

 

 Heading to the Christmas concert at Church

The Van Gelders upgraded to a whole gingerbread village this year!

Sometimes I catch them just sitting and chatting // my heart overflows with joy

 

Little mommy break from  the Christmas chaos

MERRY CHIRSTMAS EVE FROM THE VAN GELDERS

Spot brought the girls matching jammies so they would be ready for Christmas morning!

 

Princess Emrie is THREE!!!

Meeting Emrie for the first time was surreal.  She had a head full of black hair, huge cheeks and she was hungry all the time!

So much has changed in these 3 short years.  Not only does she look so different, but now I KNOW her.  Not just what she looks like, but WHO she is, and I couldn't love her more!

This animated, inquisitive, rule following, independent, passionate, chatty, spunky, intelligent firstborn daughter of mine!  This little girl who loves to play dress up and do all things girly, while slaying dragons and looking for pirate treasure!  This little girl who takes everything literally and reminds me that sometimes you just need a nap or a Band-Aid to make everything better, but ice cream always cures all.

Not a baby, or a toddler.....

THIS LITTLE GIRL.....

For her birthday this year we woke her up and then I dressed her in her princess clothes, did her nails, hair and eye shadow.  She was especially fond of the lipgloss.  Then we took her to get donuts for breakfast and she and daddy went on a date to McDonalds for lunch.  She was on cloud 9 all day! And, the perfect ending to the day; spending the night at Nana and Papa's house!

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY EMRIE DELAYNE!!!