Celebrate The Nest: wrap it up.

I've sat down more than few times to wrap up 2012. I'm not sure what to say or how much I really want written down. I know this fall we have faced a fear, an uncertainty, a darkness that neither Brad nor I have approached before. We have tread in waters that I surely thought I would sink in. And the Lord has shown us mercy. He has brought and I believe will continue to bring healing to our family in many ways.

A lot of it has been ugly. I've cried ugly tears, used ugly words and thought ugly thoughts. I have often drown myself in TV and worry. I have chosen to lay awake and wallow in the what-ifs.

And I think - I know - I have been waiting to wrap up 2012 at a place in which I could put a bow on it and stick it on the shelf. Wrap it up tight and place it neatly away as I have done in years before.

Because yes, I know there is extreme joy, happiness and love in the story of this year. We have felt cared for and lifted up. Our girls have left the hospital and have been given healing. We have a beautiful home and good jobs. We are on the mend as a family. The Lord has had incredible mercy on our family and has given us life to the full.

We do feel lucky and blessed and thankful for this year.

But I feel different, not in a dramatic way. Just in a way that is stirring my heart not to put the lessons from this year neatly on the shelf but instead to wade in them a while longer.

So, I'll simply wrap up November and December in photos.