Homemade Happenings: 2014 // The Year in Review

January

January 1, 2014 I said to Andy “let’s hope this year is better than the last.” 3 days later we received a phone call that made time stand still. My dad had an accident on the farm, he fell from the rafters of his shed and was being airlifted to the University hospital. We dropped everything and headed for the hospital. It was the scariest day of my life. For the next week we had no idea how our life would change – would my dad die? Would he be paralyzed? Would he ever speak again? Would he know who we were? And then, a meeting with his team of doctors. “I am confident he will make a significant recovery.” Those words gave us the shot of what we needed to carry on and help him through the next phase of his recovery. Now, almost exactly a year later, we can see that doctor was right on the mark. My dad is nearly 100% exactly who he was before the accident. In 2014 we witnessed a miracle. It could have been the worst year of my life but because of that miracle it was a year worth being grateful for.

February

February is always the best month of the year for me because it’s when my birthday is. But this year it was the best month because my sweet little Tate was born. February 10th he arrived, all 10lbs 7oz of him! I fell instantly in love with my big little man. In some of my darkest days he was with me, both inside my belly and in my arms. I am always full of joy when he’s with me.

This month also marked when my dad came home from the hospital, just in time for my birthday! He looks so much more like himself in this picture than the one above.

March

This month the baby was baptized, it warmed up one day so I hung out sheets on the line after a brutally cold winter, and Brennan, the other pea in my pod, had his 5th birthday!

April

Spring was almost here! The Easter Bunny came, my little chunker kept growing, the boys played soccer and we were able to start planting the garden!

May

In May Aiden made his First Communion! It was a really special day for us.

Brennan graduated from Preschool. What a bittersweet moment – so proud of our little guy and I love watching him grow up but I miss that squishy little guy being home with me all the time!

June

Aiden turned 8! The boys were in a parade and had swim lessons.

July

We took a family vacation to Chicago! It was so much fun, we had a ton of laughs and have great memories that we reminisce over often.

Aiden made his show ring debut when he showed a goat and a rabbit for Clover Kids! We had so much fun watching him learn and show off his new skills.

August

A new school year! Tater turned 6 months old! Hot Beef Sundaes at the Iowa State Fair!

September

Football and a family reunion.

October

Aiden won a coloring contest and his prize was a ride to school in the fire truck!

Of course, being October, we carved our pumpkins and the boys dressed up for Halloween!

November

November is always such a great month, it’s all about family and good food. This year was no exception.

December

We had a great month celebrating Christmas and spending time together as a family. Although we all ended up being sick at one point or another during the month, by Christmas we were all healthy, cough and snot free and ready to party!