2013 in a nutshell

2013 in a nutshell...

2013 was a year filled with many ups and downs. I just wanted to create a short blog post to reminisce on the not so great times and celebrate the good things that happened during this year.

First off, I got to travel the world!! I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to spend 4 months studying abroad and traveling to about 10 different countries in Europe. What an experience! I loved getting to see all the different countries and learn about their cultures. Really makes me want to continue traveling and seeing the world. I also made some awesome friends on this trip that I am so lucky to have for my senior year at VT.

While I was abroad, Heaven gained a beautiful angel, my dad's mom, my Grandmommie. She was such a loving and kind woman who will be missed dearly. However I am happy that she is now reunited with the love of her life, my Papa. Her commitment to him when he was sick showed me what true love really is.

Six weeks after I got home from Switzerland, one of my dear friends I studied abroad with passed away. I feel so fortunate to have gotten to spend those four months with Kendall. She was such a beautiful, funny, energetic, opinionated, organized, fun girl. I'm so sad she was taken from us so young, she would have turned 21 about three weeks after she passed. However I know she was strong in her faith and that it grew while she was abroad and she is having a great time in Heaven right now!

I was fortunate enough to get to spend time with my mom when I got back from being abroad, but about ten days after Kendall passed, my mom joined her in Heaven. That day I lost a huge part of me. I loved my mom so much and she was my very best friend. As much as one can try to prepare themselves when their mom is sick, nothing prepares anyone for this time in their life. My mom's health declined very quickly in the months of May and June, and it was a very tough transition for all of us. But I have peace knowing that she is in paradise and watching over us.

I am happy to know that I will see all of these beautiful women again.

And even though we lost so many amazing people this year, there were also some amazing things that happened!

I worked for my second summer with Salsa Labs, Inc. which was a great experience. I loved the people I worked with and had a lot of responsibility which helped me to learn a lot!

I also started my SENIOR year of college! So crazy. Can't believe it's all coming to an end. And for my first semester of senior year I got straight A's so not too shabby! Excited for my last semester of college to start in a couple weeks!

Also, on October 16, 2013 my cousins Melissa and Tom Foley had their first baby boy, Rhys Alexander Foley! And I was lucky enough to get to meet Rhys in the hospital the day after he was born! How special. 

More fun celebrations-- during three months of each other TWO of my best friends got ENGAGED!!

Kelsey DeFord to Emile Doak in September, and Kelly Madden to James Prince in December!! I can't even believe it! We are getting so old! I love all of these people to pieces and could not be more happy for them and excited for their futures. We have some fun weddings/planning to do coming in 2014!!

Kelsey & Emile

   

Kelly & James

Just to reminisce on another fun couple of things I did in 2013--

I shot my first shotgun and rode on my first motorcycle!

I also joined a new organization called Best Buddies which pairs me up with a buddy with special needs to spend time with.

My buddy Resson & me

My dad also lost 65 pounds by exercising and eating healthy! He's looking great! You go, Dad!!

And my little baby Duke made it another year! He's 13 and a half now but still kickin' it!! And taking me on walks ;)

There are many other things that happened during this year but I just wanted to touch on some of the biggest. I could have expanded on any one of these events a lot more but wanted to keep it as short as possible.

To put it simply, I am ready for a new year!! Ready to start fresh with a positive outlook on life with many things to look forward to!

Goodbye 2013 and bring it on 2014!! Happy New Year to all!!