Reflections

As we get older, it seems like life becomes more ordinary.  But ordinary, doesn't necessarily mean boring.  In 2013, Aaron and I found ourselves moving into a more ordinary life, but with it came more change than we've ever experienced in a year's time.  The most worthwhile milestones hit us all at once, in the middle of the year.  With us settled comfortably into our jobs and plans to purchase our first house together, we also set out to get our family started.  First came the baby and then came marriage.  In August we learned we would be parents; in the middle of September we closed on our beloved home and one week later became engaged.  What a whirlwind of fun (and anxiety).  Now we look forward to 2014 as it promises to continue the fun and adventure.  We can't wait to meet our baby boy in April and to officially be the Bollwahn family in August.

My most enjoyable moment of 2013 was learning about our little one. Even though I was anticipating that little plus sign, the actual moment was admittedly a bit overwhelming.  How do you ever feel prepared for the enormous responsibility you are about to take on?!?  But since then, I have turned into quite the little dreamer.  It has been fun to go on vacations, experience the holidays, sit in the baby's room and pick out clothes...to imagine what life will be like with a baby in all of those frames, it warms my heart and fills me with so much joy (must not be picturing enough crying, pooping, and sleepless nights).

Aaron said he was most grateful for the forward progression that our lives have taken together: to make such monumental steps towards becoming a family after six years of being in a relationship. We were never a couple that felt we needed to marry in order to show our love and devotion to one another.  For years we just knew that we were perfect compliments to one another, a great support system for each other, and committed with or without a ring. However, this year things just seemed to fall into place.  With secure jobs and a loving home, we felt the timing was finally right to become a family.

So besides our obvious milestones, there are other memories we don't want to leave behind.

I enjoyed: celebrating my sister's wedding in Jamaica which also doubled as our first family vacation in over a decade; and of course, welcoming Heath into our crazy family; mine and Aaron's road trip to Missouri -- first big event as a family of three; our visit to Marquette with Aaron's siblings; celebrating Aaron and Ashley's birthdays together; having the Bollwahns over for the fourth of July weekend; my baby sister moving in with us; remodeling the upstairs bathroom, hallway, and Grandma's room; my first (freezing cold and rainy) Badger football game; running my first half marathon (3 mos. pregnant)...with 2/3 favorite sisters and the rest of our family running and cheering us on; our first real Christmas tree & the big Wiedmeyer Christmas this year; celebrating one year at my job; and the cottage... no better way to spend the summer

Aaron enjoyed: MSU taking the Big 10 Championship & the Rose Bowl victories, going to two MSU football games and partaking in the infamous tailgating parties; spending his birthday and holidays with his family; learning the ropes for gardening and canning; his old time favorite hobbies: sailing, fly-fishing, and brewing; our Jamaica vacation; going to the UP for Brandon's birthday; and our trip to St. Louis after we found out we were pregnant (minus the whole sweating part)

There was going to be a photo montage for those of you who prefer to just browse instead of read (ah hem, Laura), but this is my second time writing this because my original post crashed after I tried to upload photos.  It's taken me a week to muster up the energy to re-write this sucker. Instead, here's a photo of me at 24 weeks (Lissa, how's my posture?) :

Thanks to all of our family and friends who helped to make 2013 so memorable.  We cannot wait to see how 2014 unfolds! There's so much to look forward to!