Changes in Florida

Tom's girlfriend, Maddy, moved to Florida about a week ago.  I'm not sure it is a good idea but I'm hoping things work out okay now that she has decided to move there.  Last Monday was spent looking for an apartment and her dog, Ariel, seemed to enjoy looking out the window of Tom's car as they drove around Pensacola.  I loved the photo so decided to scrap it.  She spent the last week getting things taken care of for her to start working as a teacher in a pre-school--taking CPR courses, getting a TB test, getting fingerprinted, etc.  Her car arrived yesterday and her household goods today so she is busily moving her things into her new apartment.  So she should soon be ready to start her job now that everything seems to be in place.

Urbana 12

After Christmas, Christopher left to go to an Intervarsity Christian Fellowship conference in St. Louis.  It was a missions conference that was pitched to him at his church as an opportunity for involvement.  Three other college students from his church and a chaperone went.  There were 16,000 students in attendance.  There was worship, Bible study, seminars and opportunities to learn about mission work.  The conference ended New Years Eve with communion and worship.  Most all of their time was spent at the conference but they did take some time out go up the Gateway Arch.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all!  Bill and I spent a quiet evening home--just the two of us.  We enjoyed some pizza, sparkling wine and cheesecake for our dinner.  We went to bed early and were awoken to our neighbors shooting off fireworks to announce that it was 2013.

In looking back over the year, we had a lot to celebrate--Beverly, Chris and me reaching our milestone birthdays this year, Christopher's phenomenal success in college, Tom graduating and entering the Air Force, reunions with family members and old classmates and friends.  Our one sad moment was losing Ranger this year. 

I was also challenged by a fellow blogger to come up with my favorite layouts for the year.  Having done over 100 pages this year and each of them having a special place in my heart for one reason or another, it was a little hard to pick.  But here are my top 15 for the year.  Tom having such a big year has weighed heavily in his favor for numbers obviously but it doesn't take away from the wonderful year that Christopher had as well.  So here they are.

Hope you enjoyed this glimpse of my favorite layouts from the past year and here is wishing you a very Happy New Year!