2015.

I turned 33 this year. I celebrated with David's siblings, spouses, his mom, and cousin. We went to a Spanish restaurant and special ordered Paella and all sorts of other tapas. It was lovely. But it also lacked. It lacked dozens of friends in Michigan who I love so dearly. Specifically a group of girls who for the last 2 years  gathered together for my birthday and made cheese fondue- my favorite- who knew every part of my story and yet loved me still. In fact it was when I turned 31 a girl who didn't know me well came to my birthday party and asked, "What was the best thing about last year?" The year of my 31st birthday was a year from hell. We went through a painful church split and I lost 80% of my friends. And yet I was surrounded by a group of kind, thoughtful, encouraging, loving, group of women. Life is bitter sweet. There's really no other way to describe it. So while the love of family was around us this September I felt the absence of dear friends.

2015 is a year of so many memories.

We found ourselves this year. David and I found our marriage. We began doing the deep healing that should've been done 10 years ago- but just kept getting pushed aside. I began to embrace the chaos of motherhood in a new way. I've found a more gentle approach- a more listening approach- a more forgiving myself for not being enough approach- and while I could never say I've got things down... I'm moving forward.

We found our bikes. We began by driving around Michigan to find the beautiful paths available to all and realized what a beautiful state we had been missing out on! We found paths and trails and birds and water and trees. From the beautiful green of Michigan all the way through the United States to the dust of Tucson we've found that biking as a family is what we do. We love it.

We found our running shoes. This year David began running with me- and he's pushing me. It's such a fun date outing that we enjoy twice weekly.


We found some new passions. Disabilities. Social Justice. Training. Hiking. Discovering.

We toured the country. northern michigan. upper peninsula of michigan. duluth minnesota. sioux falls south dakota. custer state park. rocky mountain national park. We found the kids love to camp.

We found inclusion for Bentley.

But this year we also left.

We left Detroit.

We left the Boggs School.

We left Hope Church.

We left friends. Friends that did play dates, holiday celebrations, traveling, and so many things.

We left wounds- a neighborhood of losses no longer to pierce when we drive through.

We left desires. Desires to plant ourselves in a city and build a life.


With our discoveries and with our losses we have hope for 2016. My biggest hope for 2016 is to continue to grow my roots down in this little family of 5. I want for us to love one another well. That is my hope for 2016.

May you find time to reflect on 2015- I'd love to read it. :)
Enjoy the slideshow- but note it's missing our epic road trip which can be watched here :)