2012 Year in Review---Jubilee

It's hard to beat 2011 with a new house, new church and new baby, but you know 2012 is right up there.  Looking back, this year was like jubilee-- a time of rest, a time for celebration, a release of indebtedness and experiencing freedom in the journey .  And out of this rest, comes a yes to new areas of ministry and growth.  This was a year of blessing for the Rings.

What sticks out in my mind is all of the new relationships we have made this year in just a short time. From our church to our new neighborhood, some of the people we've met yet this year, we've developed really deep and lasting connections.  It's so rare to have this, that I can only be grateful.

We focused a lot on freedom.  I'm so proud of Patrick as he's worked on really tough stuff this year and breaking free from the things that have kept him from experiencing joy.  I'm excited to see the chapter of this book fully revealed in time but for now just experiencing joy in the journey. Psalm 16:11 - "  You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Even from the start, he was intentional as we kicked off our 2012 by heading to a family retreat where we met other committed families who prioritize their marriage and their children first.

And for me, no one could have prepared me.  If you told me that I would be speaking at least a dozen times this year to women, I would have not have believed you.  Every time I got a new call to speak, my mouth would drop open and I would ask God "Why would you choose me?"  Humbled and excited about the prospect of blessing others, it was always me who would come home and crumble in a pile being the one who was truly blessed.

It hasn't let up yet as I'm scheduled to speak a handful of times from January to April this year.  So incredibly grateful to be able to do this!

Patrick spent a good portion of the year as the leader of our shepherd group.  In general, just taking the lead of our family.  He's really stepped up this year to fulfill the role that God has called him to.  Another milestone this Spring is that we stood publicly in front of our church and committed to raising our family to the Lord.

Also this Spring, we really enjoyed our time spent with Michael and Karen, who are like family to us.  They came to live with us while they were house-hunting.  It was wonderful to have them here, sharing meals and sharing life.  Our children adore them!

During the summer, we had a lot of mini-trips, focusing less on where we traveled, but who we were going to spend our time with.   The kids had time with all of their cousins from Michigan, from Virginia Beach, and even here when we "staycationed" in the area going to Lake Anna, Georgetown, Bluemont and Baltimore for some fun days.

 

Interesting thing to note this summer was a massive storm that caused a power outage in our area.  Many were out of power for like a week.  It was crazy hot outside to be without power.

This summer marked some really wonderful moments in our neighborhood, which was also another goal for us with neighborhood barbecues, Octoberfest, and our recent Christmas party.

Probably the most notable relationship built this year was Micah and Kelan, his best friend.  These two are inseparable.  They plan their own playdates by coming over and knocking on each other's door every day including weekends!

When the fall came around, another huge milestone this year was releasing Micah into the world.  He is absolutely loving and thriving in Kindergarten. 

To summarize this year, it was a lot about celebrations---every person in this family had a really special and creative birthday.   We had a wonderful anniversary and we spent many weekends being with friends and family.  We hosted a few events at our home that were quite memorable!

What an amazing year.  Like our kids who pop up ready to go at the end of bath time each night, we feel a little that way.  We're ready to to launch into 2013 and can't wait to see what God has in store for us!  It's going to a BIG milestone year.

Other notable things that happened this year:  O'Bama was re-elected as President, Whitney Houston died of a drug overdose, Hurricane Sandy did a lot of damage in the northeast, and there was a elementary school shooting in Connecticut.  Also Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour De France titles.

Let's RING in 2013!
Happy New Year!

Best of Christmas 2012 - So Merry!

There's a lot to post this Christmas, but I'll just give you the highlights.  One of the best things that happened this year was that I didn't get overstressed.  The cards went out hassle-free....and the reason for the stress-free cards was because the one I wanted (below)  ended up being $2 per card, so within a hour I picked up some at Walgreens, for which I paid $0.41 for each. And they were just as great!

 

The gifts were bought this year without any fuss.  The boys not only licked every envelope for our cards, but M and C picked out each gift for every cousin at one Target visit.  Done!   But you know how the Lord says that you'll be blessed if you give?  Wow, did I ever?!  Best gift went to ME.  A professional karaoke machine.  Yes!!!!

And well the cooking...besides making fruit soup for breakfast, I didn't cook a single meal..hallelujah!  We did bake but even that was therapeutic.   And I didn't decorate the cookies..LOL.

 

Fruit soup is a tradition, as well as visiting the National "holiday" Tree.  Right.  Yeah, it's a Christmas tree and here it is in all its glory.  This year was pretty underwhelming visiting the tree with no yulelog and a crowded area to see the manger - next year, we might need to adapt a new tradition.  We did have fun with our friends Jay and Kathy though, and afterwards, we ate plenty of pizza!

Another tradition at Christmas is to eat like there's no tomorrow.  There's always a turkey, a beef roast, a fish, a noodle dish, a soup, and all the Khmer favorites.  I have proof!  This is only like half of what was served....Cambodians know how to feast!

 

And one more tradition to observe this year was Christmas Eve.  We always try to go to the candlelight service.  This year, I asked a friend for her iphone and was able to get this beautiful calming picture.  It was this serene peace that filled me---- to be there with my friends and family thanking God for that Silent Night and our Joy to the World!

Other great moments:  when the tree went up this year, Tristan went nuts.

As in years past, we didn't forget to put up the train.  Well, that was a good call.  Our little Tristan was mesmerized by the train.  All he said for days was choo choo.  He would stare at that thing go round and round for at least half an hour.  We just weren't sure what to make of this fascination. 

Nothing says Christmas like a festive Christmas party.  We managed to make it out to a few and remembered to take a photo at the end.  It's always so fun to party with Patrick.  He's a hoot.

Probably one of my fave moments is when Patrick did a reading of the Christmas story out of Luke Chapter 2.  

Thank you to everyone who prayed for me in early December to make sure I remembered the reason for the season.  Every time we did something, we remembered the "why" and I was immediately filled with joy!  From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!

Christmas Crafting & Playdate

This morning was half fun, and half chaotic.  We had little wee ones here, and I had forgotten the times the boys needed gates and needed to lock down loose furniture pieces.   We had a few near misses and I'm grateful that despite the chaos, people managed to have fun and get creative.  Look what Karina's little David  made!

And all the kids made theirs...[cough cough, it was mums, too!]....

Victoria, by the way, looked strangely relaxed as she was painting.  I have to admit sitting down and being creative and concentrating...it's really therapeutic.  Zoning the world out....

Jeannie did the most creative ones if you ask me.  She is not only "one of the brighter ones" but she is also clearly one of the most fittest.  She is giving birth to her third son TOMORROW, I repeat tomorrow.  And she is out and about...and SMILING.  That's perspective for you.

My favorite is Abs trying to steal a fingerprint from her baby while she was sleeping.  These are eyes beginning to half open.  Hilarious!

I will say because the crafting was so fun, we may get together again and do just the mommies.  And maybe add some wine and cheese to the fun, too! 

Seasonal Decorating

It's funny whenever anyone comes over, the first thing they say is.....you changed that! Yes, it's my creative outlet to update and change the look of my home very often.  As a full disclaimer, I told Patrick this very early on...and he still agreed to marry me!

So, this is what it started out as...sort of a blank canvas.  The yellow chairs were my "pop".  I was shooting for elegant comfort.

Easiest way to update a look is with pillows.  Summertime was easy as you buy some fun Pottery Barn covers on sale (I have my own much more inexpensive pillow inserts).  

This cover bought for $12.73 Pottery Barn Outlet.

I updated a Craiglist find (table and five chairs $35) with brand new seat covers to tie the two spaces together.  The covers were a lot of hard work to remove all the existing staples.

A few months later, I moved the two white chairs to flank the fireplace instead and added a few more accessories (end tables, starburst mirror, ottoman, baskets) and it's starting to come together.

Before I knew it, it was fall, and the summer white and the yellow and cool blues weren't warm enough to carry the comfy cozy look I was hoping for.  My new colors were gray and orange.....

Did you buy a new couch?  No!  With new slipcovers (on sale at IKEA $100 off) I sewed new silk 108" curtains at $10 a panel, added new artwork (IKEA frames and leftover fabric) and bought a whole bunch of new pillows at the cheapest prices you can imagine.

A new black mirror ($29.00) and some harvest decor lends itself to a cozy fall living room.

This place has come a long way....here's the before:

and after...

More before....green cabinets and old white appliances....overhead lighting...nasty ceiling fan....

And after....

And here's what it looks like at Christmas time....add some garland, stockings and red/grey/green/cream color scheme to your new Christmas living room.

A warm hearth glowing and we're ready to bring in the Christmas season!
....more decorating before and afters on the upper and lower levels as soon as I can remember to take the "after" pictures!

One might think I am insane for changing it so often, but for me - creating an environment where details tell people that my home is theirs - that makes all the difference!

First annual neighborhood Christmas Party.  It was a smashing hit!