It is that time of year again! I can hardly believe another fantastic year comes to a close. As has become tradition, I will be making my annual post looking back over the last twelve months: the heights, depths, the triumphs and trials. Depicted in the following photographs, these are some of the moments which define my 2012. I hope you enjoy!

JANUARY

Made my way to California to meet Maximus James Clayton and become his Godmother!

FEBRUARY

My beloved Ludovico (above) continued his rambunctious reign of terror as we welcomed his sweet angelic baby sister Margherita (below) to the light, as the Italians say! How I miss my little Italian gems!? February also held a great many birthday celebrations both in Austin, with dear friends, and in Chicago, with my wonderful family who all drove to the city to share in the festivities, as yours truly turned 27!

MARCH

Surprise birthday parties, road trips to the coast, exciting life-changing news for Krista, and as always ceaseless good times with dear friends!

APRIL

REUNION of Most of my Absolute Dearest Friends ALL IN ONE PLACE at THE SAME TIME!?! Enough said. I love these women, their husbands, and their children!

MAY

Farewell to Austin, our dear Texan friends and our beloved “Studio…”

Ah Studio! We’ll meet again…It won’t be gaslight in the lane, But just as gentle, only brighter. And Jack on Aslan’s back. We’ll sing His glory Around those two: One Love-Truth. Old world will give one final “crack.” Our hearts could not be lighter. -Dom Julian OSB A Severe Mercy

JUNE

Did I get out of my car this month? According to the photo above, I must have, but believe me it was only briefly! This month my car carried me from Texas to Tennessee and back to Ohio, from Ohio to Connecticut, New York City and Boston, and finally to Washington, DC (where I would call home for the month of July)!

PS. Photo was taken by Krista on Nahant Island just north of Boston (that’s the city in the background)

JULY

How could anyone NOT enjoy a month of nannying for these two again?! Though as much time as I’ve been over the moon blessed to spend with them, I’m still waiting for some of Jack’s super powers and Elise’s princess like radiance to wear off on me! Maybe in 2013?

AUGUST

Maria gets hitched, Krista joins the Convent, and I start a new job! August brought a whole lot of NEW for everybody!

SEPTEMBER

My baby brother gets married to the love of his life and I find that I finally have a sister in the family!

OCTOBER

First visiting day for Krista down in Nashville…seems she is absolutely loving it thus far, though of course it is not without its difficulties as she transitions to her new way of life. And, joining a new dance studio in Pittsburgh had me dressing up like a 20’s flapper for the Halloween dance party!

NOVEMBER

A visit to Boston to see the Birthday King, aka my Godson, as he celebrated his first birthday and…drum roll please…………………….that’s right! I went to my first Notre Dame game! A life long dream since the movie Rudy first occupied my television set as a youngster.

DECEMBER

What didn’t December hold? First an incredible trip to France with a dear friend, fulfilling one of her life long dreams and enriching mine in the process. Then my, may as well be, little sister Tori graduates from Graphic Design school! And FINALLY…Christmas!

Wait…is that all? No! Still one more adventure to be had in this twelfth month of 2012 before the ball drops and officially declares our entrance into 2013…a FAMILY CRUISE! I’m pretty sure this is about to be the best ending to a year I’ve ever celebrated as we ALL (four grandparents, two parents, one brother, one sister-in-law, one cousin and me) embark for the Caribbean!

As I prepare to sail south, I wish you all the most blessed belated Christmas and Happy New Year! May 2013 hold more adventure, more love and more joy than 2012 and may we seek always to live lives of Abundant Faith!