Snapshots of 2012

January

We celebrated eight years of marriage, grieved the loss of a domestic adoption, visited with special friends, and soaked up some very un-Januaryish weather.

February

We got a snowstorm for Valentine's Day and said "YES!" to Li'l Dude's file on the 29th.  (Yup, he's our Leap Year baby.) 

March

Our Ch*na home study was FINALLY completed, Emma got a new look (short hair!), we had a great visit with my family in Southern California, and Li'l Pup joined our family.

April

We celebrated Easter Sunday with family, welcomed Miss R and her mama to hang out with us for a while, and sent our dossier off to our agency.

May

We enjoyed a gorgeous Mother's Day, a super fun visit with Tia (my sis), and a memorable Memorial Day with dear friends.

June

We welcomed summer with a family vacation in Northern Michigan and then were blessed with a visit from two handsome boys.

July

Our little princess turned four (yikes!), we hung out at the County Fair, Jeremy and I snuck away for a few days together at a conference in Palm Desert, and we got LOA!!!

August

We were part of what could arguably be the best family reunion ever in the California mountains.

September

We went to the fair - yes, again, we're all Midwestern like that - had fun camping with friends, and got Travel Approval to bring our boys home!

October

Apparently we did nothing but make hotel reservations and pack in October, because the only pictures I took were of Li'l Miss dressed up for a birthday party.  Oops!

November

We went to my brother's in California and then kept right on flying to bring our boys home from Ch*na.

December

It's been a fun, crazy, trying, joyful, memory-filled month.  And we're all still alive. :)

I really enjoyed putting this post together.  I was surprised how many of the small moments, represented by these photos, I had forgotten: splashing in puddles, playing in the snow, getting dressed up.  In some ways, I feel as though I spent 2012 consumed with adoption; this year brought us to the end of a very journey to our boys.  But that end is also the beginning of our new adventure together as a family.  In 2013, Li'l Man and Li'l Dude will share 365 days worth of small moments with our family.  May those moments be filled with love, peace, and contentment; and may I make the time to treasure each and every one of them.