a glimpse of 2013

2013 was a very busy year - I didn't blog very much and honestly, I find myself starting 2014 more exhausted than I have ever been before. Nevertheless, I am ready to strap on some sparkle and get this party started! Since there are literally four (4) posts to recount the entirety of 2013, perhaps I'll start 2014 by looking back...

January - 
I said goodbye to my older brother, his lovely wife (my sister and one of my dear friends), and two darling nieces as they moved to their duty station in Oahu, Hawaii. Kevin is an officer in the United States Army serving in the Nurse Corps at Tripler Army Medical Center. 2013 was a constant lesson in loving from a distance...I learned a lot about flat rate shipping boxes and truly appreciated FaceTime as it allowed me to share special moments like Madeline's first day of Kindergarten and Charlotte's first steps. I miss my family more than I can possibly express, but they are together and thriving and for that I am truly thankful. Last night we spent about an hour chatting while they had dinner - it was a bit chaotic, but I love that with an ocean between us, we're still living life together.

March -
I spent my 28th birthday on the beautiful island of Oahu and experienced Hawaii for the very first time. We went to the Dole Pineapple Plantation, visited Pearl Harbor, went to a luau and oogled some lovely grass skirted ladies, we went to the beach and I attempted snorkeling, which was actually much harder than I remembered, we ate Hawaiin Ice, went bowling, watched fireworks from the beach, danced at the Barefoot bar and hiked Wiamea Falls. It was a wonderfully perfect birthday vacation with some of my very favorite people on earth. I'm turning 29 in March and hoping to go back! Paradise is calling my name!

April - 
I flew to Texas to stand next to my friend Jenny Jackson as she married her true love. I was Jenny's mentor and Big Sister when she was in college in California and had no local family. It was truly my honor to love her well through that season of life and I was thrilled to be present for her big day. Her husband is wonderful and it did my friend heart so good to see her loved so wholly. That weekend was ALSO wonderful because I got to spend it with my dear friend (and previous roommate) Rachel and connected with the gorgeous and truly wonderful Joy Gadd who is now one of my closest and most encouraging friends. 

June - 
My littles came with their mama to visit for almost the entire month. I spent as much time in San Diego as possible to soak them up while they were in town. While they were here, my little M turned 5 and we got to celebrate her birthday with pink polka dot balloons a bounce house. I was so glad to be present for her actual birthday - it was gift.

One of the most meaningful weekends of the year was also in June. I served as a counselor at Teen Leadership Camp - a camp for children who have been part of the foster system. For three (3) days we escaped reality and went to the mountains where we played games, did crafts, ate camp food, zip-lined and stayed up way too late talking in our cabins. These kids have some of the most powerful stories I have ever heard. They are unseen in our communities and many them feel unwanted and unloved. One student said, "I wait all year to come to camp, because I am finally with my family". It was powerful and moved my soul. I hope to serve at TLC every single year of my future. I have always felt like God gave me the capacity to love His children, I've always had a heart for adoption - perhaps He is growing in me a heart for foster care as well.

July -
I got to throw my darling friend Shannon a baby shower - we were all eagerly anticipating the arrival of her very first - a baby girl. The shower was absolutely adorable! I did a lot of crafting and my efforts paid off for sure! Sienna Rose Key was born August 25 and she is beyond darling!

August -
My very first friend in Orange County - Rachel Reinert - got engaged to Andrew Smith. The two of them had been together off and on for years and I think I always knew they would end up getting married. I was thrilled to raise my glass to them at their engagement party and laugh the night away with one of the most energetic and enthusiastic couples I've ever known.

September - 
AkinsParker Creative moved from Newport Beach to the historic Pacific Building in Downtown Santa Ana. My daily commute decreased from 27 miles each way to 28 miles TOTAL. I felt like I was living the dream. Our new offices are extremely interesting and definitely scream creative. I love our new home.

A bunch of my World Changers friends were also able to visit in September. The fun kicked off with Chad Hall - we went to see New Mexico State vs. The Bruins...NMS got annihilated, but my cousin Davis played a great game and it was really fun to be there cheering him on. Chris White and his lovely wife Bri arrived that same day - so we headed to LA for the Great Walking Tour. Wes Tate joined us halfway through the day and it was absolutely incredible to have four (4) World Changers from all over the country together in California. My heart surged. We were also able to visit Santa Monica and Chad and I snuck into Disneyland for a glimpse of the happiest place on earth. I will forever be a World Changer and the memories of my summers spent serving Christ with some of the greatest people He ever created will hopefully inspire me to love others well throughout my entire life.

October - 
I got to throw a baby shower for my best friend Carrie. If you know me at all, you've probably heard about Izzy - she is Carrie's little girl and she survived a liver transplant at only 7 months old. Izzy is our little miracle and we love her beyond explanation and will forever be grateful for the time we've gotten to share with her. Now Izzy was going to be a big sister and it was my honor to throw a shower for Carrie and baby brother Rory. I threw the shower with one of the best friends a girl can have - Jenny Redmond. It was a relatively simple event with a bow-tie theme and hand-made bow-tie favors. My sewing machine got a serious workout making those bad boys! Rory James Sanchez was born on November 24. I was honored to be in the room when he made his appearance - he is darling and I'm already in love. Is there anything better than baby snuggles?

November - 
Wedding celebrations for my best World Changers teammate officially began. I flew back to Missouri to throw Emily a bridal shower and bachelorette party. I didn't think I was going to be able to swing two trips initially, but I also didn't know Emily was planning to reimburse me for my flight to the wedding. After a bit of excited conversation, we decided to use the reimbursement money to fly me out for the weekend of festivities instead. It was amazingly wonderful to be there. I loved meeting all the gorgeous ladies in the bridal party and getting to be present for Emily. It is a little hard to be a long-distance Maid of Honor, but sharing that weekend definitely helped.

November also brought Rachel's bridal shower and bachelorette. Unfortunately Rachel and Emily booked their venues for the same date - they were both getting married on December 07. One in California and one in Missouri - it would be impossible to share in both. Rachel knew I wouldn't be able to attend when she booked her venue, but she still asked me to be a person of honor and it still broke my heart just a little bit to say no. I would have loved to have seen her become Mrs. Rachel Christine Smith. I was able to design their wedding invitation - so in some way - I was part of their day and a little piece of me will remain in their memories. 

December - 
The first weekend of December welcomed Emily's Wedding Weekend. I flew to St. Louis, Missouri on Wednesday, December 04 and all the fun began. It was a blustery weekend with lots of snow and freezing temperatures. It was absolutely stunning and since I don't see snow very often being a California girl, I loved it. It was one of my very favorite weekends of the year. Emily and I shared so many special moments and I can't describe the joy I felt standing next to her as she married Bryan. Emily and I served together over six (6) years ago and God did some thing really special with our hearts - He is the foundation of our friendship and regardless of how many miles separate us or how our lives change - we will be friends, sisters, and teammates. Michael Page was also on our team that summer and he made it to the wedding as well. It was a 24-hour reunion and it was perfect. Emily looked radiant as she walked down the aisle on her daddy's arm and their ceremony was personal and Christ-centered. Bryan is an incredible guy and Emily is a phenomenal girl. I wish them a lifetime of joy as they grow together and raise their family.

My little sister also graduated from Nursing School in December. She still has to pass the NCLEX and complete an RN to BSN program, but she has worked so hard and I am so proud of her for exhibiting such determination and drive in her educational career. I was able to be present for her pinning ceremony and both her parties and celebrated her big time!

Christmas was a bit strange this year since Kevin, Jamie, Madeline and Charlotte were unable to come home for the holidays. We saw them several times on FaceTime and via the interwebs, we opened all our presents together. However, I longed for hugs and wished I could see those sweet girls bouncing off the walls at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Nevertheless, I am thankful for family and blessed by the many generous gifts I received. It was a simpler holiday than usual, but I am learning to appreciate the quieter life.

This year also held lots of normal adventures- Megan and I got to spend several weekends together both in Orange County and in La Quinta where she now lives...we celebrated award shows, watched movies (even one in the cemetery), ate gluten free treats, saw the world's worst production of Little Women, drank a lot of coffee, shopped, thrifted and enjoyed as many moments as possible. I began my "career" in ushering for a local theatre and saw as many Broadway productions as I could including Funny Girl, Legally Blonde, Wicked, and Hairspray. I also went to the ballet and saw Sleeping Beauty (the vampire version) with great friends. My grandma turned 96 this year and is as hilarious as ever - I just love her. Izzy turned 2 and we celebrated with a Minnie Mouse pizza party - she is an absolute delight. I had lots of coffee dates with both Anna and Jenny - my childhood best friends and ate brunch at Chapter One with Jenny and Carrie as often as possible. I became friends with Ally Stepp and Carrie McQuaid, loved dinner dates with my roommate Sarah, went to breakfast more times than I can count and worked a lot. Mindy Taylor got engaged and so did Rebecca MacKenzie so it looks like 2014 will have more wedding bliss in store as well as LOTS more babies! I have much to look forward to and much to be thankful for.