2015 in Review

It is the last day of 2015. This afternoon we will be watching the Clemson game with friends then getting ready for a fun dinner out with one of our favorite couples, followed by champagne, er sparkling grape juice, at midnight. I’m very happy to close the door on 2015 and open the door to a new year.

2015 was bitter sweet for us. I looked back at my phone for photos of the year. As you can tell from the frequency I posted this year, it was certainly not a very photogenic year. There were not a lot of picture-perfect moments in 2015. But, it was still a big year for us.

In January and February, we had a lot of crazy weather, which allowed me lots of late evenings sipping wine in my favorite pajamas due to many snow days off and weather delays from work.

Corey traveled a lot this year so we celebrated Valentine’s Day at home, relaxing with a delicious surf and turf dinner courtesy of our own kitchen.

Sweet Riley turned five in March. As always, there was a pup cake to celebrate. So few birthdays our pets have so I always say just spoil the heck out of them.

During my spring break from work I started a little patio refresh project of restaining our patio furniture and recovering our cushions. I thought we were going to have some restful spring mornings to sip our coffee out back while Riley rolled around in the grass. I was wrong.

Just a few days later, we got the news that my father-in-law had a very aggressive brain tumor and we all dropped everything to head to Florida. He and my mother-in-law moved to the Jacksonville Mayo clinic and my husband started working from home in Florida when he wasn’t traveling the Carolinas for work. I didn’t see him much and just knew things would calm down and be better at the end of the school year.

I finished the year with my 3rd graders. All of them went on to 4th grade and I packed up my room for the summer. This was a trying group of students but probably one of the groups that is nearest and dearest to my heart. On the last day of school, the day before I was scheduled to return to Florida, my father-in-law passed away. It was only eight weeks after his disagnosis. My husband was able to be there with him and he was able to go in his own home, which was a blessing. 

My dad was honored at the South Carolina state house with a major award in his field. I was able to go to the ceremony just before my flight to Florida.

We spent some time in Florida with my mother and sister-in-law then came home for a few days before traveling to New Jersey for my father-in-law’s memorial. This was the hardest day of the year by far but it would be remiss not to include it. So many people are not close with their in laws, but mine quickly became a second family when Corey and I got engaged and married. A lot of days have been hard since this day, especially as Baby Girl’s arrival grows near.

After receiving some really disheartening news at my annual visit, I had a lot of anxiety about if Corey and I would be able to get pregnant. The spring had been really busy so I was plain exhausted most of the month of June. I went out of town for a work conference the first week of July and complained to my mom about how bad my PMS and cramps were. Turns out it wasn’t PMS after all! I took at least seven pregnancy tests that day just to be sure.

I shared the news with Corey that night and then our parents two weeks later.

We celebrated our third wedding anniversary. It’s hard to believe we’ve been married that long. So much has happened in three years and I love Corey more and more each day. Looking at these pictures makes me so nostalgic…and also makes me really miss my vBarre instructor at New York Sports Club.

I returned to school and welcomed a new class of third graders. This is year six for me. 

We shared the news of Baby W on social media.

After house hunting for months, we found what we thought was “the one.” The heartbreak this house caused ended our home search temporarily and we are staying in our current home until some time after we are settled with Baby Girl.

In September, we learned Baby W was a little girl. I took an afternoon off to do a little shopping with my mom. If the events of earlier in the year taught me anything, it’s that work comes second and regardless of the pressure you may feel to be present and perform, sometimes you just need to tune it out, let someone else handle it, and go to lunch with your mom.

Baby Girl made an appearance. I am in awe pretty much daily of how big the bump is getting.

I went to Homecoming at my college and got to spend some time with a few sorority sisters. 

We celebrated Corey’s birthday and his mom came to Charlotte to visit with us. I’ve promised that I’ll stop using the numbered birthday candles…but continue to make this delicious coconut cake.

I caught the worst stomach bug ever the weekend of Halloween. Instead of being out and about in this shirt, I spent the day in bed.

In November, we celebrated my birthday and then traveled to Naples, Florida for Thanksgiving.

Back at home, I decorated for Christmas and even had all my shopping done very early. This never happens. 

Our sweet neighbor brought Baby Girl a tree of her own. You can see more of or decorations here.

We made some nursery progress and Riley practiced his guard dog skills.

Christmas break from school arrived and I spent a lot of time with this sweet boy. Then, my in-laws arrived for the Holidays.

We hosted a great Holiday dinner for both families at our home. We got to spend some time with Corey’s mom and sister while they were in town and relax at home. Now, its time for the Holiday decorations to come down and the Baby decorations to finish going up.

Welcome, 2016!