my promise to 2013. (sponsored by Hallmark.)

Posted bycasey coombsPosted inToo lazy to label.

As the calendar changed over from 2011 to 2012 Vivi was nothing more than a chubby lump of baby who could really only sit there and be cute.

jammie vivi.

Addie was a freshly minted seven year old who still had most of her baby teeth in place.

Addie

As the calendar gets ready to change over from 2012 to 2013 Vivi is now a full blown toddler who can walk, run, dance, talk and cause 18 different kinds of trouble.

This one is more about Cody being a giant sucker for that little face.

Addie is now 8 with a mouth full of grown up teeth, a face full of freckles and more than half of her body is taken up by long and nimble legs.

Addie models the latest Tea Collection (collection) for back to school.

It’s hard to believe that when I started my blog back in 2006 Addie was the same age Vivi is now.

best curl day ever.

I was pretty sure 2010 was the best year ever. Then 2011 happened and I figured life couldn’t get much better until 2012 came around and really showed me what a good year is. I honestly can’t see things getting much better than they are now, then again I said that in 2010. Half of my heart is scared, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Waiting for that phone call that will change everything. Waiting for something, although I don’t know what. The other half of my heart makes sure that I am present in these moments of  blessed abundance. When I look back at 2012 I don’t see things or places, I see moments and milestones. Many take place in different parts of the country, some even in different parts of the world, but they all have one thing in common, my family.

This is the first year I have ever made it from beginning to end without a major depressive episode, for me that is HUGE. I could talk about all the opportunities and places I’ve been this year but what is most important is that I was present and able to enjoy each and every one of them. I still haven’t turned on the news or read anything about last Friday, there are reasons why I don’t watch the news and I wish more people realized what sensationalized media can do to our hearts and minds. Cody explained it all to me in a way I could handle and told me I was most likely away from all forms of technology last week for a reason.

2013 is going to be about amplifying the simple and good things anyone can do to help someone else. I want my girls to witness so much kindness and gratitude that they grow up convinced it is the only way to behave. I can’t keep them safe forever, but I can always give them a safe place to come home to.  Thank you 2012, you were good to me, I promise to show 2013 the same kindness in return.

playing piano.

babywearing cody

family-6616

Addie and Tayden

a little waffle between friends

..

And then I became Hallmark's (Dancing) Mascot

playing in the rain

my ladies and me

I was crying. In case you were wondering what was wrong with me.

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I’m so grateful to partner with Hallmark in 2012 on their “Life is a Special Occasion” campaign again and I thank them tremendously for their patience with me, supporting me in all that I do and for sponsoring this post. Life with my family is the most special occasion of all.

25 thoughts on “my promise to 2013. (sponsored by Hallmark.)”

  1. I hope that 2013 is better than spectacular for your family (and I’m sneaking in a wish for a happy year for my family too)! Here’s to many many wonderful years to come!

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  7. “what is most important is that I was present and able to enjoy each and every one of them.”

    All of this post made me happy, but this part ESPECIALLY did. I’m glad that you were able to feel so present and vibrantly alive in those moments, and not ghosting-through-life-like. So happy for you, Casey, and for your adorable family. I hope 2013 is nothing but good to you and yours. &hearts

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  8. Casey I have to tell you that you are my favorite blogger lately… I get to work, check my email, get my coffee, and check to see if you have anything up! Your girls are precious, I can’t get enough of your humor and realness, and quite frankly, think we’d be fantastic real life friends 🙂 (hope that is flattering and not creepy!)

    I am also trying to soak in every second of this crazy ride, while my baby takes my breath away daily. And I’m also scared sh*tless that the other shoe is going to drop…

    Maybe we (I) should lay off the caffeine?

    Hope 2013 is EVERYTHING you deserve it to be!

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  9. I like this. I’m really happy for you. I think I’m beginning to understand and be able to see what depressive episodes look like, and, if I’m right, then I can’t imagine what my life would look like if I went a whole year without one. I am so glad you are finding freedom.

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  11. I love this. And I love reading about your journey–I admire you for where you are. That last picture is absolutely beautiful. It made me cry. I’m so happy for you.

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  13. So incredibly beautiful in so many ways. Thank you for sharing your joy.

    And I must add that your reflections on your girls is really putting into perspective what 2013 will bring for me, as I now have a seven-year-old and an almost-one-year-old. I’m torn between trying to place myself at the end of 2013 and imagine what they’ll look like, to trying to place myself squarely here in 2012 and savor every moment I have when them right now, just as they are.

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  14. Aw, love. I’m so glad your year was so wonderful. You deserve the joy and beauty and wonder of all the world has to offer.

    2012 has been the hardest year of my life and I am holding on to the hope that my struggle means that 2013 is waiting to show me what all that tough stuff was about. I welcome it.

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  16. What a great post! And what a fabulous year! I had a wonderful year, though not without one major depression episode, but one thing I’ve learned from those is that they don’t last forever and my feelings of gratitude and hope, coming out of one of those, is overwhelming.

    Missed reading you, while I took a couple of years off blogging. You are still as fantastic as ever!

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  21. I love that you have so much happiness.

    I have to say I usually can’t pick a favorite photo in your posts… but for whatever reason the rainy umbrella photo just captures my heart. I keep going back to it. Love it.

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