Project 365: {Day 365}

December 31st. New Year's Eve. Here we are the last day of 2014.  It's been a great year.  We have so much to celebrate.  Fortunately for us, Wednesdays just happen to be our family day.  So celebrating is exactly what we did today.  We celebrated by being productive, laying low, reflecting on our year and just being a family.  We ran errands in the morning, the kids took long naps while Brian and I enjoyed some TV time on the couch, went for a walk, spent time playing games at a friends house, came home, put the kids to bed, ate an amazing dinner and spent time as a couple.  We got so carried away reflecting on our year we looked at the clock and it was 11:47pm! Woohoo...we actually made it to midnight and participated in the TV countdown for the first time in 5 years!  Here is our picture for the day:

Memories of 2014

Although I lost all the photos I took this year, my favorites had been uploaded to Shutterfly along the way.  So I went through the 400 photos I had uploaded to this year's album and as I scrolled through I chose my favorite 10 photos from this year.  Drumroll, please.........

This photo was taken on January 18th.  Everyone is a bit bundled except for the over-heated mama who had delivered a baby 4 DAYS EARLIER!  This represents many many family days in the parks and reminds me of SUCH a blessed week we spent getting to know one another as Weiss Party of Four.

We spent so many days at parks in our neighborhood and by summer were venturing out to parks around our community.  This picture represents my maternity leave better than any other.  I wasn't quite brave enough to be out and about with both kids so we spent day after day walking to the park.  Luke would sleep in my sling & he and I would push Carly.  In the evenings and on the weekends (having two days off together was amazing) Daddy would come with us and usually bring a basketball.  I truly delight in our play ground memories from this year.

We love the Boardwalk and visit often!  I love this picture because it was one of the few times I put on make up and posed for a good photo. ;)  We took this same picture when we introduced Carly to Disney World when she was 3 weeks old and here Luke is one month.  It was Valentine's Day, Brian's folks were meeting Luke and I was feeling really good at this point.

This is just one of those examples of a picture I never would have taken had I not been doing this photo journal.  But now I'm glad I have it! We have spent hours around this table this year.  Carly has transitioned to a chair and Luke has transitioned to the high chair that we never even had to put in storage.  I find making lunch to be hard because it's like...gee, how can I get some variety in their day but yet still make it quick?!

Oh we did so much learning this year! I remember this photo is from May because we were making Mimi's birthday card!  I love this picture of Carly--I think it shows her love for life and sheer authenticity.  We play in the living room at or near this little table all the time...countless games & activities.

The lean mean stroller machine!  So grateful my parents made the investment in a BOB!  We used this stroller at least 4 times/week and it has helped me maintain my exercise regimen.  I have jogged this path all year long because I love running on a straight-away and a midst the trees.  I love looking down at my two littles. :)

I remember snapping this photo and instantly loving it! I've gotten some pretty cute pictures this year that again I would not have snagged had I not been diligently trying to get out my camera everyday.  I love that Carly is in her swim suit cover up and we have clearly just arrived home from the pool (pig tails still a bit wet) and are making lunch before the glorious afternoon nap.  They are both so tan!  I bet this is June or July.

Again...I wouldn't have taken this if I hadn't needed a picture to post for the day.  I am glad I have it because it's a reminder that sleeping is such a big deal in the little years!  Luke waited until he was 11 months and 16 days old to sleep through the night so "stuff about sleep" was on my mind all year long.  I personally think every kid needs a lovey and a blankie and my two kids certainly needed their paci as well. ;)

Water, water, water, water, water...splash pads, water parks, swimming pools...a hose.  You gotta have it if you are going to survive the Florida spring, summer & fall and we had our fill and more.  This picture is extra special since this splash area happens to be at Downtown Disney.  Luke had just started crawling so this must be September.

Look how blonde they are in the summer!  I love this picture because I remember that it was taken right after we began having a day off as a family.  After I went back to work we decided to only have a babysitter one day a week which mean't Brian was home alone with the kids on both of his days off.  In July we finally took the plunge of having a day off together and hiring the babysitter for 2 days/week.  I was so happy that we were in the parks as a family!

This is the most recent picture (November) and one I actually forgot to post!  I must have taken a few different photos that day and us playing in the rain must not have been the most memorable event.  I love this picture because it reminds me of all the times we needed some fresh air and ran outside.  It reminds me of the many times we've played in the rain then headed up and all piled into the shower.  It reminds me that Brian and I often comment on how much our children love one another and some days we can't figure out which one loves the other one more. God has blessed us abundantly.

Thinking about our year--not the vacations, the normally documented moments--but the day-to-day--the reason I chose to do this project--to remember the little moments--the moments we spent the most time doing--I was brought to tears with gratitude.  This project encouraged me to pursue joy this year, encouraged me to appreciate the mundane of making lunch, doing another load of laundry because praise God we had dirty clothes from playing outside nearly every. single. day., packing up and going to the pool for the millionth time because we live in a place that is unbearably hot, the once-a-week family days we spent with smiles on our faces walking around the "most magical place on Earth."  The stroller rides, the bike rides, the days at the park, the days in the back yard, going for walks, for drives, play dates, church, naps, errands, candy, baking, cleaning, cleaning some more, becoming tired of cleaning all the time.  I have two precious children and one amazing husband and this year couldn't have been any better.  There have been years where my highs are HIGH and my lows are LOW but this project helped remind me that this year was different.  Yes there were days I was sad and lonely and overwhelmed and wanted to live in a hole...and there were days of vacations and visitors; holidays and celebrations...but EACH DAY WAS A BLESSING....and each day was good.  This was my most balanced year in emotion, thought and contentment.  This was a year of growth and stability and gratefulness.  I loved 2014.  I loved it. And I'm so glad I have 400+ pictures to document the changes my kids went through and the love Brian & I share for one another and for them.  Happy New Year, folks,  Thanks for traveling our year with us.