2014, like every year prior, was a year of highs and lows. We saw this as a country, and as a world. And it was the same for me personally. I'd like to close out 2014 on a positive note with a look back at some of my personal highs.
2014 started off with a stellar Seattle Seahawks football season coming to a close. A regular season record of 13-3, and a NFC championship won in spectacular fashion led to something Seahawks fans had been dreaming of for nearly 40 years ~ on February 2nd we won the Super Bowl! I've watched this team through good and bad since I was a young girl. To see the city finally welcome a football championship was incredible. Now to get a baseball championship to follow in 2015...Let's go M's!
When my husband and I put our minds to something, we can usually achieve it. 2014 took us on a journey to home ownership. When we moved back home to Washington after 5+ years in Colorado, we knew we wanted a house; we wanted to establish new roots at home. And that's what we did. At the end of May we got the keys to our new home. Home ownership can be a scary thing, but to have our own home again is amazing.
In June, I participated in what I thought would just be a fun challenge. It was to create a design for Derrick Coleman's (fullback for the Seattle Seahawks) No Excuses Foundation. He challenged his Facebook followers to submit a design. The winning entry would be turned into a t-shirt to be added to the selections he had on his foundation website. My design won. It was an overwhelming moment for me. Fast forward to mid-July when I received an email from Derrick's mother informing me that they were going to incorporate my design into their foundation further by making it their logo. That email came on my birthday. What a birthday present that was!
For more information about the logo and Derrick's Foundation, please see my blog post about it here:
All Heart/No Excuses
Another July birthday treat was getting to see one of my favorite bands of all time live for the first time, thanks to two of my favorite people of all time. My dear friends Stephanie and Dale took me to see New Order on July 6th for an early birthday night out. What a night! And one I still think of whenever I hear a New Order song now. I will never be able to thank my friends enough for that incredible night.
For my original thoughts, please see my blog post: Bucket List Band - New Order
September is a always a special month for my husband and I, as it's the month we got married. In 2014, however, it was a little more special as it found us celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary. 20 years!?! How did that happen? It has been a quick 20 years. And it has been an absolute honor being married to my best friend for so long. We have our differences now and then, sure. But to be able to call this man my husband, to have him as the father of our son, it's a journey I wouldn't have wanted to taken with anyone else.
When we moved back to Washington in 2013, we decided that I wasn't going to get a job - at least not right away. With the money I make from Zazzle, we knew we'd be ok, not great, but ok financially if I chose to be a stay at home mom. Yes, we've been ok. But 2014 was tougher on us financially than we expected, especially after we bought our house. I started looking here and there for a job. But because of certain restraints we set, jobs are not easy to come by around here. I end 2014 now as an employed person (though I don't officially start my new gig until January). I was recently hired to be an agent assistant - at the same office I worked at for 6 1/2 years prior to moving to Colorado! I'm going home again and it feels great. I can't wait to get started!
That pretty much sums up the big moments in my year. There have been other milestones here and there (my son hit the double digits when he turned 10 in March), along with other positive notes and events. There were also lows ~ financially, in my family when we lost my Aunt in March, and personally (friendships ending, stress, depression, etc). But overall, this was a good year and one I can look back on fondly.
As 2015 approaches, I look forward to seeing what the universe has in store. I am excited to start my job. We are in the very early stages of planning a family vacation (our first since the summer of 2012 and much needed) that, fingers crossed, will take us to the happiest place on earth. I love watching my son grow physically, emotionally, and personally. And who knows, maybe a few other dreams will find the light of day. I also look forward to some peace and healing in this world of ours. Mother Earth and her children could use it.
Thank you 2014. And welcome 2015!
Thank you for reading.
