Top 12 of 2012

Sitting here in my comfy pants with a bubbly glass of champagne pondering the fact that there are only 50 brief moments left in 2012.  And, if the bubbly hasn't gone to my head too much and I'm doing my math properly, 525,550 precious moments spent up.  (More than a few of them, I must admit, spent on episodes of Modern Family and perusing Facebook.)

I wanted to end 2012 with my own personal list of the Top 12 of 2012.  These are more in a chronological order, as opposed to any kind of order of importance.

1: Cora's first birthday.
We celebrated with a simple cake and some pizza and salad with our Russian friends.  I was a bit meloncholy to think of my sweet baby growing up, but she was plunging headfirst into toddlerhood.

2: Buying our first home.
In a city where the houses are sometimes on the market for only a few hours, buying a home isn't for the faint of heart, but we had an awesome realtor with lots of patience, and our 8+ month search finally yielded the perfect little place for our family to sink some roots.  I even love the name of the street, and the neighbors don't get any better.

3: Picking berries with my grandma.
I'm so thankful I still have 3 of my grandparents, and that there health is good.  Seeing Cora with them is priceless; getting to soak of up their stories, wisdom, and wit is a gift.  Picking berries together? The icing on the cake.

4: Incredible new friends.
The kind who are deep and real and funny and raw and wouldn't hesitate to bend over backwards to do what they could to help each other.  I cried when I moved here.  But I know that I'd cry even harder if we leave.

5: Watching the waves tickle Cora's toes.
What started as a simple break in Jacob's insane travel schedule turned into a family vacation memory I won't forget.  The aquarium, the waves, and the simple flavor of seafood on a hot summer evening with an ocean breeze heavy in the air; her blonde curls heavy with the salty air.

6: The stars at night over Ft. Davis and the cool relief of Balmorhea Springs.
Another quick-escape-turned-memory... I learned to see the beauty in rugged West Texas on this trip... and realized that while I might not always live here, its wildness and freedom speak to my soul.  No matter where I might live, I think I am a Texan through and through.

7: My "other Cora" coming home from China with her adoptive family.  Finally, finally home.
I've loved her since she was a toddler.  To see her with her family now is an answered prayer.  That her family is friends of ours?  More icing on the cake.

8: The unexpected success of Scarlet Threads this year.
Wow.  All I can say is wow.  I love that it is turning into a legit little operation and not just a hobby of mine.  I can't wait to see where it goes in the coming years.

9: Taking Cora to China.
It was scary and I was brave and it was all so very worth it.  I'd do it again, but this time I'd make arrangements to have some help with the jetlag.  :)

10: Holding Grace's sweet baby.
And having the amazing honor of picking out an English name for sweet baby YiYi.  (May I introduce you to perfect little Eve?)

11: Having my sweet pup return after a 5 hour absence.
My heart broke at the thought of our little LeLe gone forever, in a strange town and on the eve of a bitterly cold snowstorm.  The sound of Jacob excitingly telling me to come see who had come home is probably one of the best moments of the year.

12: A peaceful Christmas.
Last year was hard.  But 2012 brought a lot of transformation and healing in my own life and in the lives of those I love the most.  And this year was a beautiful example of things changing.