A Journey of Love and Laughter With The Lowery's: 2012 Holiday Adventures/ 2013 Is Here!

Happy New Year!
2012 has gone, and 2013 is here.

Hard to believe it is already the start of a New Year. It really is
crazy how fast time goes. So, I definitely didn’t succeed in blog
writing in 2012. But, maybe I will get better in 2013. I figured if I
just tried to blog at least once a month that would be progress. I
will try and do better than that, but at least once a month is my goal
to start off with.

The Lowery’s had their ups and downs in 2012, but we are beyond
blessed. I survived my three trips to Wisconsin, learning a lot and
becoming certified in EPIC Prelude, and Patrick now has a new job.
Woohoo! It was hard to understand why other jobs had not worked out,
but God was setting up just the right place for him. He is now at
Forrest General Hospital as their social media and marketing
specialist. It really is a dream job. He loves, and it and we are
beyond thankful for this opportunity. The Lord has surely seen us
through this year.

We had a wonderful holiday season filled with lots of travel, family,
and friends. We celebrated in Birmingham, on the coast, and here in
Hattiesburg. It is so hard to find a time for everyone to be together,
but it makes those moments even sweeter. I know not everyone gets the
chance to spend time with their loved ones over the holidays, so I am
especially grateful for those opportunities.

Two weekends before Christmas we spent time in Birmingham with my
mom’s parents (Grandma and Poppa) and our good friends CT and Kara. We
had good food, and great fellowship. There is never a dull moment with
Grandma and Poppa! We also got to see Uncle Johnny, Nancy, and Anna on
our way out on Sunday. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there and only
wish it could have been longer.

The weekend before Christmas we spent on the coast with Patrick’s
family. We were sad that Uncle Tommy and his family could not be
there, but we had a good time with Nana and Doll. We even played Dirty
Santa with his family. I should have stolen a gift I was sure to love
instead of opening one, but I’m just too nice. But, all in all it was
good fun. We were also able to see Patrick’s great grandparents too.
They still amaze me; they are doing really well to be in their late
nineties. On Sunday before we traveled back to Hattiesburg we had
lunch with his dad’s side of the family. Steamed Shrimp, was on the
menu… yum! It was nice to be able to see everyone while we were there!

After Christmas on the coast we were back home for Christmas in
Hattiesburg. We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Eve service with the
entire family, had a nice dinner together, and exchanged gifts. I must
say everyone was so generous (on both sides of the family).
Patrick and I did most of our presents from each other Christmas Eve
night because we knew we were getting up early Christmas morning to
see everyone before Mom, Dad, Lori, and James left for Birmingham, and
Adam, Amy, and Cameron went to her parents.
I knew that I was getting a MacBook Air, which I LOVE!!! And Patrick
added a polka-dot case to it as well! (He knows me well.) I’m so
excited to have a good computer, but Patrick was in great shock when
he opened his Timberton Membership. It was priceless, and I am so
thankful I was able to do that for him. It is worth every penny.

Christmas morning we woke up to storms. It was going to be a rainy
day. Patrick and I opened our stockings at home before we left to see
what “Santa” brought us at Mom’s and Dad’s. Once again Santa was very
generous. It was really wonderful for everyone to be together. Special
times and special memories. Cameron of course was the life of the
party. He is so sweet, and so fun to play with. He just melts our
heart. He loves his Uncle Pat-Pat, always calling him by name, and I
think for now I am Lola. As long he knows who I am, he can call me
whatever he would like (within reason of course).
The morning went by too fast and everyone was on their way to different places. Patrick
and I enjoyed some time together at our house, and then we went to one
of my dad’s brother’s house for Christmas dinner. Mimi even went with
us. It was GREAT food, and fellowship. The storms were rolling in, so
we dropped Mimi off at her house, and made it back to our house before
it was time to get into the bathroom. The threat of tornadoes was
strong. I am glad that we were all okay from the storms.

Patrick and I finished Christmas Day with the movie “The Holiday”. It
truly was a wonderful holiday season for us. Patrick and I are
tremendously blessed. The next day it was back to work for us!
(Welcome to the Real World)

However, Christmas was not quite over… on the 28th we had the Knight
Christmas and celebrated Mimi’s and Pop’s 60th Wedding Anniversary!
What a testimony and example to follow. There love is still as evident
as ever. I hope Patrick and I love each other that much after 60
years! It was a crazy, fun day. Everyone was there except Shanna’s
husband who had to work. That is a blessing by itself. I loved playing
with all the kids and catching up with the older ones. Everyone is
really growing up… I guess that happens… Just hard to believe.

And now here we are….2013….

What are your hopes for this year? Stay tuned, I promise to be back to
tell you how we rang in the near year, and what we hope for in 2013.