Sweet Aidy Grace,

There just aren't words. Truly. You are one year old, and I can hardly believe it. At the same time, it feels like you've been here forever, and it was just yesterday that I stared - terrified - at that positive pregnancy test. I think the most bittersweet part of you turning one is that this whole year I've been able to look back and say "this time last year..." with the best memories of being pregnant, finding out you were a girl, spending time with your daddy, the final countdown to your big debut. Now those memories will be even further behind me. But when I think back to this time last year, I'll now be able to reminisce on the sweetest memories of your big milestones. The day you arrived, the day we brought you home, your first bite of food (avocado!), the day you learned how to crawl, your dance moves, your silly babbling, your first steps. I know the years will only get sweeter - until you're a teenager, Lord give me a grace.

When I look at you and am overwhelmed by love, I'm thankful you are God's way of giving a small glimpse into the love he has for me. I never understood when people would say, "There is nothing my child can do that would make me not love them." I mean, surely, there's something. Now I get it. Nothing. I will love you with my whole heart for my whole life, and luckily (or unluckily?) there is nothing you or I could do to change that. Isn't it crazy to know that God thinks the same way about us, but on a completely different level that we can't even comprehend? It's mind-blowing. (For real, I go cross-eyed if I really think about it.) I hope one day, when you're a mom, that you look down at that little bundle in your arms and you think "This is what mom and dad were talking about all these years". I hope you're not shocked at how much you love your sweet baby, I hope it just finally clicks that this is the love we've felt for you since day one and you finally understand.

Oh, little bug. You make me smile, you make me cry happy (and frustrated) tears, you make me laugh, you challenge my patience, you give me a completely different perspective on life, you make my heart burst with love. More than anything, you make me so proud. It is my greatest honor to be your mom, and you are my most precious treasure. I tell your dad all the time that there is no way I can love another child the way I love you. You will always be my favorite because there just simply isn't enough room in my heart. One day, when you, God-willing, have siblings I'm sure you will hold this over your head. (Mental note: When we have more kids make sure I write down that I actually do love them the same.)

Aiden means "little fiery one" and Grace means "the free and unmerited favor of God". Good night, could there be a more perfect description of you? We truly feel unworthy to be gifted with such a fiery little babe. You are smart, you are beautiful, you are so sweet, you are hilarious, you are curious, you are independent and ready to take on the world, you know what you want and you get pretty annoyed if anything gets in your way. You are pure joy.

My prayer for you every day is that you continue to be happy, healthy and bring joy to so many people's lives. That you know and love Jesus from a young age. That your daddy and I are good examples and point you straight to Jesus. That you are a bold voice of your generation. I am so excited to see what God has in store for you. They're big plans, girlfriend. I know this, because your personality is already larger than life - he's already prepping you for your mission field.

Happy first birthday, Aiden Grace!

xoxo
Mommy

Bring it on, 2013!

With a handful of friends, Adam and I rang in 2013 from the comfort of our own home. I can't even put into words how nice it was to A) not worry about finding the perfect outfit B) not spend a ridiculous amount of money to go to some big party and C) not worry about finding/paying for a cab to drive us all the way up to Marietta at the end of the night. We just had some of our closest friends over and ate a lot of unhealthy food, drank a lot, played board games and laughed too much. Maybe it's a sign of us getting old, but it was one of the most fun New Year's Eves I've had.

In Baker tradition (you know, since this will be the second year...), I sat down and thought about my resolutions for 2013. [We heard a great sermon about resolutions on Sunday and when our church puts it online I'll be sure to link it.] 

Here are my 2013 resolutions (drum roll, please):

1. Don't get another dog. They say you're more likely to reach your goals if you write them down, so maybe that will help? Honestly, if having two dogs wasn't so expensive we would 100% have one right now. I just feel so bad for Ruthie Roo when we're at work. I think she needs a buddy to play with, but our bank account doesn't agree.

2. Be happy for others. Being happy for other people does not come naturally to me, jealousy does. That sounds so terrible, but it's true and I hate it about myself. Adam and I are so beyond blessed (seriously, it takes my breath away sometimes), but I can't help but look at others and notice what they have that we don't. I know when I'm doing it and I stop, close my eyes, and pray and remind myself of all the blessings we have. It's my hope that by the end of 2013 I can genuinely be happy for other people and not have to talk myself through it. This is something that only the big guy upstairs can help me with, so we're going to get super tight this year.

3. Quality over quantity when it comes to friends. Friends are supposed to bring out the best in you, not bring you down. PERIOD.

4. (This one is SO cliche, ugh.) I have got to start eating better. Adam and I work out on the reg, but for the most part eat TERRIBLE. I realize I was blessed with a legit metabolism (again, check out my blessings!), but that close friend of mine will peace out sooner than later. It's the whole "moderation" thing that gets me - why can't I just eat an entire bag of Flaming Hot Cheetos and not be healthy? I'm definitely going to have to (somehow) convince myself that I literally am what I eat. And I don't want to grow up to be a Flaming Hot Cheeto, but I wouldn't mind being Flaming Hot (ba doom ching!).

I'm going to think of some sort of physical goal, too - just haven't gotten there, yet. Last year it was a half marathon, and I can guarantee you that this year that will not be the case. I'm also not going to be unrealistic and hope for a six-pack by summertime. Hmm... I'll have to ask my fitness guru (aka Adam) for some ideas.

Random side note to end this post: Have you read Heaven is for Real? I read it in one day and cried most of the way through it (which is kind of embarrassing considering I read about 3/4 of it on a plane). I have always believed in Heaven, but it was so interesting to actually visualize it. It's an amazing, easy read.

Resolution Recap of 2012

As 2012 is coming to an end, I figured it would be a good time to look back at the resolutions I set for this year.

1. Find a forever church home. Y'all - we did it! We may have cut it pretttty close to the deadline, but Adam and I have found a church that we love! We're so excited to start getting more involved, and love that there are so many other young couples.

2. Be more patient. I can definitely tell a difference since the beginning of the year. I may not actually be more patient, but I recognize when I am about to lose it and try to talk myself through it.

3. Run a half marathon. Done and DONE. I don't like saying never, but I will never do that again. My knees hurt SO bad afterwards, and since my mom has terrible knees I don't want to speed up that process for me (at least that's my excuse). Seriously, I haven't ran since the half marathon in April. (Which is going to have to change since we're running a 5K in January. Barf!)

2012 had its ups and downs, but we continue to thank God for ALL of our blessings! Some of this year's highlights include: me getting a new job, Adam starting at KSU for his Master's, Adam coaching baseball and softball at Lassiter for the first time (this is TOTALLY his calling and I'm so proud of him!), buying our first HOUSE and so many great times with our family and friends. I went into 2012 thinking there was no way it could top 2011 (it's hard to top the year of our wedding), but I am once again blown away by how truly blessed we are!

2013, we can't wait!