everyday amy: It's been a good year!

This past weekend I celebrated the new year with my tiny little patients. New Years was my holiday to work this year, so I worked Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. And although I realized I haven't actually seen the New Years Eve ball drop for the last few years, I had to miss it again this year (because sleep is way more important to me!).

2011 was a busy, busy year for us. It's hard to believe that at this time last year I didn't even know Greg was just days away from asking me to marry him (he popped the question on our family Disney World trip on January 8th! You can read all about that here).

And now, we've been married for almost 3 months already!

My mom and my sister Katie also got married this year....

And Emily graduated high school and went off to Auburn University in the fall...

So many exciting things for just one year! But there were some tough times as well. We also lost some loved ones this year. Greg's grandmother passed away just barely into the new year last year. And my dad died in March after a long, rough battle with alcohol addiction. One of the last conversations I had with him I was telling him about Greg asking me to marry him, and telling him what a great guy Greg was, and how happy I was. He said he wanted to get to know Greg better, but deep down I think I knew that would never happen. He died not quite 2 months later.

This is actually a picture of my dad when we were in Mississippi for his dad's funeral in 2005. We took him back to Eupora, MS to be burried in his family's plot.

"Come to me, all who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

We also experienced one of the worst tornado seasons in Alabama's history this year. F5 tornadoes ripped through the south destroying much of central Alabama. My brother-in-law and his roommates were actually in their home in Tuscaloosa when the tornado passed over his home. We are so grateful for God's protection that day, and that they were unharmed as they crouched in the bathroom for safety. Their house, however, was destroyed like much of the city that day.

I have a lot to be thankful for this year. I have a wonderful family! I know everyone thinks their family is the best, but mine really is. No really. It. is. haha. My sisters and mom and I are best friends. And my sisters and I have grown incredibly close over the past few years (ya know, now that we're all grown up!) Yeah yeah, we still can bicker from time to time, but in general, I'd say we're a tight bunch. And the guys that joined the Graves girls are pretty awesome too! We know how to have a good time.

And speaking of good time...we are all headed down to Disney World again this year for the marathon!! Yep, and this year Chuck (my brother-in-law) and I get to celebrate our birthdays while we are there. Katie will run the half-marathon, Chuck and his friend Zach will run the half marathon on Saturday, and then the whole marathon on Sunday! It should be awesome, like all Graves family trips are ;) No matter how old we keep getting, the kid in all of us kicks in when we step into the magical world of Disney. Although there won't be any engagements going on this time around. Unless anyone has baby news they would like to share while we are there...... no, no, just kidding! haha, I know neither one of us (Katie or Chuck included) are ready for that surprise!! It would be a fun way to announce the news though!

So, since I need to get packing for our trip, I'll leave you with what I like to call "the best of 2011"...

January 8, 2011