Thursday, December 29, 2011

A Look Back at 2011

If I had to describe 2011 in one word I would choose...

settling.

Not the bad kind of settling where you compromise for something mediocre or sub-par.

The kind of settling where you get comfortable. Settled in. This year has been all about settling into marriage, settling into grad school, settling into life in Arizona.

2010 was the year of a zillion changes. 2011 has been the year of settling in and watching the new become familiar.

It's been good.

Friends flew in to run the Rock N' Roll Marathon with Micah and me // 
TCU won the Rose Bowl {believe it!} // Micah and I celebrated six months of marriage


Sister came to visit for her winter break...


Allison came to visit for her spring break. She was our 8th visitor in five months. We started to realize this was more than a passing trend. We love our visitors!


Girls night out with some ladies from church. Settling into community.


Bowling with our Community Group // That one time we had 17 people over for dinner in our 900 square foot apartment and set off the smoke alarm


Trips to the Grand Canyon and California


Trip home to Washington: Celebrated our one year anniversary // Annual camping trip with friends // 
Time with the fam


Dad flew down and made an offer on the house we now live in {after I finished real estate school} // 
Micah and I established our new date night plan to strengthen our marriage


Floated the Salt River // More fun visitors // Celebrated my 29th birthday


Camping trip with friends // Trip to Seattle // Presented at my first academic conference // 
Got to meet blog friends in person!


Desert photo shoot // Moved into our new house // Experienced NASCAR // 
Thanksgiving trip to North Dakota


Decorating our new place for Christmas // Our first Christmas tree // Big family Christmas gathering in AZ // Lovin' our new roommate Kayla {Micah's sis!}


2011 has been great. We've been blessed in so many ways... a new home to live in, new employment opportunities, and deepening friendships in our new city, just to name a few. Now that we are feeling settled in Arizona, I am excited to see what adventures are in store in 2012!

xoxo,
Jen



16 comments:

Erin said...

I am so happy that you moved to Arizona!!! :) What an amazing year. Micah and you make me smile so big!

Nessa @{Casa Braaflat} said...

what a great recap. i just read your north dakota thanksgiving trip post as i live in north dakota. not near fargo tho. you gotta visit in the summer when its totally gorgous here and 110 there!

living in az i bet you get lots of vititors. we go visit my brother in the phoenix area often. i love it there in the winter!

Jessi said...

What a busy and fun year! I did a look back today too.. how funny.

Can't wait to see what 2012 brings to you and your family. Blessings!

Erin said...

Loved your recap :) I did one too, it was a lot of fun looking back! Looks like you had an eventful, fun year. Looking forward to reading along in 2012!

http://missbmrsm.blogspot.com/

Kassi at Truly Lovely said...

Sounds like an amazing and fun filled year! Here's to more fun and adventures in 2012!!!

Kara @ June & Bear said...

what a busy year and you guys are too cute. there's a lot to be said for settling into a level of comfort. i hope that you find lots of new adventures in 2012 too.

Courtney*Cakes said...

I loved your 2011 recap!!!! I am glad your all settled in!!! Arizona is amazing :)

XOXO's

Jordyn said...

Well - first time visiting your blog! You're simply adorable! I love it! Can't wait to read more! :)

Mrs. Pancakes said...

Looks like a wonderful year!!

Hespyhesp said...

You are so adorable! Love the pics!

krislyn. said...

Love that you are feeling more settled in! I'm looking forward to obtaining that in 2012. :)

Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com said...

I'm hosting my first giveaway this week. It opened this morning and I'd LOVE to have you enter! Crossing my fingers you win!!! XO, Aimee

Kendra said...

Loved your year review! Excited to see what 2012 has in store for you!

Amanda said...

I loved this post! It's so interesting to see what one can accomplish in a year! I'm working on my own 2011 recap right now.

How did you make the collages?

Tamara said...

i love looking at everybody's recaps...i hadn't planned one, but now i'm thinking maybe? congratulations on an incredible year...and here's to an awesome 2012!! happy new year!

Nicole said...

hey girl!

this is so lovely. you are gorgeous. what a wonderful year.

so glad i 'metchya'. . . maybe someday in person?!

also loved your most recent post on reading the Word and blogging about it. what an awesome testimony to God's work in your life.

keep it up.
xoxo