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oh, 2013! my favorite year thus far. pretend i didn’t say that last year. \ud83d\ude42 we are happy to be healthy + just happy to have each other. \u00a0i actually feel like i’m kind of getting the hang of this only girl thing. i love my little family so much. i am grateful that i’m married to someone who loves me for who i am + that he truly brings out the best in me.<\/div>\n

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in the morning i like to watch Live with Kelly. back in july, Sarah Bareillis was on the show performing her new song, Brave. have you ever heard it? (scroll to the bottom if not) that was the first time i ever had. \u00a0i was very preggo + probably a little too emotional for my own good. i wish i could express the overwhelmingly warm feeling it left on my heart. i immediately sent a link over to jon. his response – “how the heck did you pull that off?” haha. let me explain in 5 hi-lighted moments from our year:<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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1. riggins born –\u00a0<\/i>when we found out we were pregnant with riggins, i will never forget what jon told me, “be<\/b> brave. <\/b>this baby needs you + so does jonah + so do i. you can do it.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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2. we\u00a0sold waterprepared<\/i> – i was up in logan the day that jon went to finalize everything at the bank + i got this text – “am i brave<\/b> or are we crazy?” \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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3. i became\u00a0full time stay at home mom. . . again<\/i> – when i wrote the final email to Sweet Little Peanut announcing my “retirement”, jon told me again + again, \u00a0“you’re braver<\/b> than you think, say what’s in your heart.” it worked, i have never felt more content with myself.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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4. seattle<\/i> – by now we had recognized our “brave” theme. jonboy loved to tease me with it. he’s not into cheesy, but he is very supportive of my crazy ideas. “who’s brave<\/b> enough for the ferriswheel? with him assisting jonah’s hand high above his head. . . “who’s brave<\/b> enough to try king crab?” you get the point. i loved our seattle adventures. our final trip as a family of 3.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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5. jonger book club<\/i> – jon has always been an avid reader + he is probably one of the most intelligent fellas i know. we started our book club as a new year resolution in january. we had every intention to finish 12 books, but we only made it through 6. {this one will most likely make the list again in 2014} jonboy picked out this RAWR book<\/a>\u00a0for the boys for Christmas without me knowing.\u00a0in the back, he wrote them the sweetest message i ever did read, “merry christmas boys. be kind to each other. be friends with the dinosaurs. always be brave<\/b>. always tell mom you love her. i love you. love, dad”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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looking back on this year, i was brave. i stepped outside of my comfort zone + developed some of my most treasured friendships. i learned that i am NOT a wedding photographer + that i usually crack under pressure. i am also not as scared of heights as i thought i was + i am my very happiest when i’m putting all my effort into being the best mother + wife that i can possibly be. i’ve learned that my kids + my husband think i’m the bravest mom in the world. so if they believe in me, i had better freaking believe in myself! do me a favor? go blast this song + hug your loved ones extra tight because they love you + so do i.<\/div>\n
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