Monday, January 14, 2008

What a difference a year makes.....



With the start of the New Year, comes a whole new beginning. Yet another opportunity to "get it right". To learn from our past and focus on improving for tomorrow.

I decided to look back to 2006, it was one of the toughest years in my marriage. I think every couple goes through those "tough times" in their relationship, we were no different. I think I learned that year why they make you say, "for better or for worse" in your marriage vows. Things had just gotten worse! I was struggling, we were both at a turning point. This first layout just describes "2006 in a nutshell" . It documents one of the most difficult years we've faced as a couple and how we "turned it over to God" to see us through.




I had a lot of growing to do. It felt like at that point I had hit the end of one chapter as a Mom. My kids were growing and didn't need me in the same ways they always had. I needed to move forward, to seek out a piece of my own identity. I needed time to rediscover myself...a time for change.


My prayer was to let me allow God to be the driver, to lead me in the direction where he needed me. I think he has. I think this series of layouts clearly reflects where I was in '06 and what a difference a year made to me.

In 2007, I found a little part of me again. I became a working Mother and went back to my career in marketing. The part of me that needed to be recharged, was resparked! Having a job took some of the pressure off of Rich and gave the kids a whole new respect for what I was capable of doing. They were all so proud of me and that was a wonderful thing! 2007 was a great year! I think God answered my prayer when he blessed me with a wonderful job that still allowed me to give a piece of myself to my own kids and still help out our family.

I can look back and see that he really tested us and forced us to look at our promises to each other. I found out that by honoring our vows to each other, we honor him. . It was a good lesson...a good choice to let him be in charge of the plan.


Here's looking forward to an even brighter tomorrow, a spectacular 2008!! Happy New Year!!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Reen...yes we all go thru that "tough" year...for some of us it is longer than a year, and are still looking for the end. You deserve the best my friend. Keep looking up!!!! We love you!!! Christie

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Reen.

Anonymous said...

Beautifully from your heart Reen...

Ramona said...

What an absolutely amazing person you are, Reenie. An inspiration to us all!

Jill said...

love your straight from the heart journaling, Reen! Beautiful layouts!!! So glad to hear that 2007 was such a great year for you! xox