TOP 12! [a 2012 recap]

You know, my blog-memory isn’t so good. I just tried to look back and find my recaps from each year, thinking “in 2007, I did a TOP 7 list and in 2008 I did a TOP 8 list but for 2012 I can do a TOP 12 list and do one thing from each month!”

And then I saw my 2007 recap.

And my 2008 recap.

And realized that I’m a dufus. I’ve been giving a monthly highlight for a lot of years.

But in 2009, I didn’t want to officially recap apparently, I barely survived the stress of 2010, and in 2011 I barely survived deportation.

So 2012 deserves a legit recap. So here we go!

Psalm 126:3

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

. . . . .

JANUARY: After returning from Scotland in November 2011, I lived with the Giver family here in Nash while looking for my own home. Our time co-habitating was a bigger gift to me than I can ever describe.

Here’s a post about it. Also, we did puzzles. Puzzles are good for my soul.

. . . . .

FEBRUARY: I met my small group. How we have been us for less than a year I will never understand because we fit like we’ve been forever.

Here’s a post about them. And here’s a pic from our small group snoozle earlier this month. I love them so much.

. . . . .

MARCH: I signed the book deal for Perfectly Unique. 

Here’s a post about that day. Here I am signing with my gals. So grateful for them.

. . . . .

APRIL: Me and the Vandy boyz made our sibling-hood offish. They are my brothers. Amen. I love these guys so much. Don’t even get me started.

Here’s a post about it. Here we are from left to right – Keenan, my rogue necklace, me, and Connor.

Screen Shot 2012-12-27 at 11.09.46 PM

[Also, to be noted, this was my first month as a full-time author and speaker, leaving my Mocha Club job on April 1 after two years. I’m so grateful to my boss, Barrett, for reminding me to be brave. I have been scared and worried and every other emotion, but I’ve never regretted it.]

. . . . .

MAY: The girls and I went to an Ingrid Michaelson show. While this may seem like a bizarro highlight, the truth is that this story, these girls, this history, they have all meant more to me in the last two years than I can express.

Here’s a post about it. And here we are.

[Also, I talked to John-Boy Walton on the phone. So. That made my life.]

. . . . .

JUNE: I traveled around the southeast meeting youth group gals in every corner of Dixie. 

Here’s a post about it. And here are some darling gals that I met in Birmingham with Sophie.

BHam gals. . . . .

JULY: Not only did I turn 32 [with joy, I might add], but I got to return “home” to Edinburgh for a few weeks before the craziness of book release fall season began.

Here I am with three of my very best friends who live across the ocean- Esther, Leisa, and Donna.

Scotland besties

Also, the last week of July was this year’s first Girls of Grace event in the lovely city of Phoenix. Here’s a post about it.

. . . . .

AUGUST: This began my crazy travel season, including weekends in Mississippi, North Carolina, and Oregon. 

Here’s a post about it. And here’s a shot during a Girls of Grace event!

. . . . .

SEPTEMBER: Perfectly Unique releases to the world!

Here’s a post about it. Truly, this month totally changed my life and I will never forget it. Thank you.

Perfectly Unique

. . . . .

OCTOBER: I told lots of jokes.

Here’s the list. It was a hilarious month.

31 days 2012

Also, I got to attend and speak at the Influence Conference and Allume Conference. It was mucho fun.

. . . . .

NOVEMBER: My best friend Betsy turned 30 and we celebrated Parenthood style in her hometown. 

Screen Shot 2012-12-27 at 11.50.17 PM

It was a fun month with Girls of Grace and my travel season ended- my body and friends and dirty house rejoiced that I was home for a bit. 🙂

. . . . .

DECEMBER: I love the Christmas parties and concerts and time with friends that increases over the holiday season. Nashville is a hotbed for good times in December. It’s my favorite time of year.

Here’s me and some gals at the cooooooolest Christmas party in town.

Christmas gals

Also this month, I got to spend time hanging out with Jennie Allen and we became quick besties. It was hopefully the first of many crazy brainstorming retreats.

. . . . .

It was a good year. It wasn’t pain free, disappointment free, fear free, heartbreak free, but I am sure glad it happened. There are things that happened that I will never forget- new friendships, dating relationships, new ministry opportunities, hard conversations, surprising moments, dreams coming true, all of it. Even through the hard, as the year comes to an end, my journal is almost as full as my heart.

I am grateful.

Thanks for being a part of my 2012.

. . . . .

What was the highlight of your 2012? If you write a recap post, link in the comments so we can read about your year!

[PS- I LOVE this recap of 2012 by Regi Campbell. Couldn’t resist sharing it.]

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