2012 and 2013.

As 2012 draws to a close, I have to say I am not really going to miss it. This time of year should be filled with hope and promise, and I'm ready to stop dwelling on how I feel like this year was a bust - a year where I feel like things didn't go our way and a year where it feels like we got pummeled with bad news, tough breaks and disappointment. Looking back at my goals for the year, I didn't do terribly (I have done more things from Pinterest - just haven't blogged about them yet!), but many of my goals for 2013 are continuations on this year's progress.

So back to the hope and promise ... I really feel like 2013 has good things in store for us. We spent 2012 making some big decisions and big changes, some of which I've revealed on ye olde blog, others I have not. While it would have been nice to see more instant gratification, I appreciate that the extra time will better prepare us for when things fall in to place (like in 2013. Ahem.)

We also got a hefty dose of perspective in 2012 - health issues, scares and accidents within our families and tragedies that affected friends and the nation. There have been a lot of tears and prayers. There have been countless times when I've reminded myself to be thankful, grateful for what and who we have in our lives. We had an extremely stressful summer, and it definitely wore on me. I know next summer will be no breeze (hello, another July baby), but I am extremely excited about being parents for a second time.

There were several new friendships formed this year, as well as friendships that grew stronger. As I get older, I find that my time for friends is more and more precious, and so are my good, true friends. I don't want to waste time with friendships that frankly aren't good for me. Many of them have naturally, gradually faded - others will likely follow that course, and while bittersweet, in most cases it has been for the best. I hope to keep in better touch - whether it be regular calls, e-mails or visits - with the friends that truly matter.

There were other good things that happened in 2012, lest I make it sound like the Worst Year EV-A. We made a lot of financial goals and progress in 2012. We were responsible consumers, as we sold some stuff (a camera, our fairly new laptop) to purchase some other stuff (a newer, fancier camera and an iPad). We took a few trips home to Ohio. I ran my first 10K. We officially joined a church. We celebrated Elle turning two. We started Elle in a new daycare. Tim and I have both been challenged at work. I've had a lot of fun and met a lot of new people through my design business. We conceived another child.

I'm hoping that we get some big breaks in 2013 and that good health sticks with us (and our family and friends) for the coming months. I hope we travel more, and to places other than just Ohio (no offense, fam and friends). We have some long weekend trips in mind as well as some possible destinations for longer trips. I hope I can run more - even though I'm pregnant, I plan to continue working out, and when I had Elle a key in maintaining my sanity and getting back in pre-pregnancy shape was running. I'm going to track my mileage for the year and hope to run in a few 5Ks or a 5-miler in the fall. I hope we continue our 2012 trend of saving more and spending less. I hope we move out of our condo. I hope to surround myself with more people who positively affect our lives. I hope to continue growing our relationship with our church family. I'm going to take a photography class to learn how to better use the previously mentioned fancier camera. I'm going to work on personal projects. I'm going to be more generous with my time and money (without sacrificing my mental health). Once I get my energy back (c'mon, second trimester!), I'm going to be a functioning human being again (had to throw it in there).

2012 hasn't been the worst year yet, but I'm hoping for big changes, a healthy baby and much, much happiness in 2013. (Oh, and a potty-trained toddler would be nice, too.) I predict (and hope, and know) that 2013 will be more stressful and full of transition, but I see lots of good changes and love in the coming year. Happy new year, all!