2012 in summary

Wow. What a huge year from every angle!
2011:

 2012:

• We didn't stop traveling! I did my usual Innovate insanity, and a London/Stockholm trip. As a family, we had an amazingly luxurious stay at the Waldorf in Disney, visited a mountain cabin with the dogs, hit Myrtle Beach and our treasured OBX. PA and MA go without saying ;-) Ryan and I even enjoyed a weekend in Richmond sans kiddo, and celebrated our anniversary while Ade her first sleepover at JJV's.
• Big highs and big lows led us to make some fairly major changes in our lifestyle. Ryan took up the running where I left it off, and completed his first half marathon! Between cycling, running, and focusing on healthier eating, he has lost over 30 lbs. He really looks like a different person - more like the 22 year old I met than the guy I've been living with for the last 10 years ;-) I haven't completely shirked myself, and have also lost a few lbs and am far healthier for it. Eating better, drinking water, and even my meager exercise routine has worked wonders.
• More change -  Ryan quit IBM and got a new job at Wireless Generation! This was a huge change for us both. We have never known each other without IBM, so putting some distance between our work selves has been a good thing. Ryan is really enjoying his new job in downtown Durham (he can see the Bulls ballpark from his office window - reminds me of my original Pgh IBM office).
• Program Director, what??? Oh yes, that's me ;-) I got my B10 promotion this year, which is a major milestone at IBM. I am responsible for one of our major growth area projects. Lots of responsibility, but also lots of innovation and an amazing organization to be proud of.
• Let's not forget this blog's namesake - this Goddard graduate has enjoyed half a year of Thales kindergarten! I almost can't remember her not being in school. She has learned SO much, I can't start to recount. Most impressive though is her reading ability. She truly can read what seems like any word now. Plus, she knows basically everything. About everything. Just ask her.
• Although we had a scare with Ade's maybe-concussion and polka-dotted ear infection, and my most recent burnt flesh, we again have managed a year of largely blessed health. Here's to keeping the trend rolling... The dogs, however, I can't say the same for - Dakota the toe-grower, Chey the chewer and tooth rotter.
• We welcomed Kukubird to the family, the Acura MDX. (Mama loves you, girl!)
• Interestingly, last year I said was a year of stabilization, and this was definitely a year of de-stabilization... metamorphosis? Vicissitude? Hmm, none feel right. Maybe let's just say we have spent the year growing; that certainly can't be wrong. Il mio vero io.

So, 2013, what do you have in store? Although I am always up for an adventure, I am not sure I could take another year like 2012 back to back. Perhaps we can take what we have learned this year, and further apply it. You know, if you use a word in a sentence, it's yours to keep, after all. ;-)