Goodbye 2012

I know I haven't really been blogging a lot and I hate getting behind, so here I am, the last day of the year, here to wrap up 2012 and ring in 2013.

Josh and I have had a wonderful year.  We graduated from college, moved to beautiful southern California, Josh started his career, we moved into our very own apartment, and we welcomed Charlotte Lyn into this world.  So many changes within such a short amount of time and never a dull moment.  There have been a lot of memories made, laughs and tears.  This is a year that will be unforgettable. 

We have been grateful for so many things this year.  Always number one, the Gospel.  Speaking for the both of us, we are grateful for our testimonies of the Savior, for what he has done to make it possible for us to live as a family for eternity.  We are also grateful for our health.  This year has been so unpredictable with the pregnancy and we couldn't have asked for a more smooth ride through the whole process.  We are grateful for our families, for their support and help through everything we have been through.  Not just this year, but throughout our entire lives. 

Right now, we are sitting in Connecticut, ready to usher in 2013. Playing card games, eating delicious food, and thinking of all the New Year resolutions we hope we can remember past January.  Bring on 2013.  Thank you 2012 for the memories.  You have been good to us.

Happy New Year!

Newtown

Right outside Danbury.  An hour from New York City.  That's how we would describe where we spend our holidays with Josh's family.  Now, everyone throughout the country knows exactly where Newtown, CT is.  And not for any reason someone would want their city to be on the map.

I have been watching the news non-stop, reading about it online.  One reason, I can't believe this happened in Newtown.  As you have all heard, everyone is shocked.  This is a small, New England town.  Complete with a picturesque Main Street with the flag pole, town hall, library and movies you can watch for a couple dollars.  The homes are beautiful East Coast homes with columns and exposed brick.  A quiet town. 

As I watch the news now, I watch a couple talk about their daughter who was killed.  She loved horses and was getting cowgirl boots for Christmas.  Tears stream down my eyes.  I'm a mother and although I have only been a mother for three months, I cannot imagine something so tragic happening to my dear Charlotte.  She is the center of my universe.  My every thought is revolved around her.  I ache for these parents and other family members who lost their loved ones.  I think about my family members and cannot think of life without them in it.

As sad as this experience has made me, I am so grateful for the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation.  Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we know that this life is not the end.  That our relationships with our family will perpetuate beyond the grave.  That we will be reunited and live with our loved ones again as we strive to live righteous lives here on earth.  I feel so blessed to have a testimony of this.  I am grateful for the power of forgiveness.  I am sure there is a lot of hate towards the gunman, but we also can learn compassion and sadness for the life he was leading.  I feel for his family and hope that some answers come to surface of why he did this.

We are traveling to Newtown on Sunday.  As we are so excited to spend the Christmas holiday with Josh's family and have them all see how Charlotte has grown even from the last time they saw her, we are sad to what has happened to this quaint, little town.  I hope and pray for the residents of Newtown and want them to know that the rest of the country is mourning with them and is constantly thinking about them.