I’m thinking back over the last year, remembering the best things that happened to me and my family. God has been good to us. I know usually it’s a top ten, but 12 in 12 just sounded cooler. I’m posting the first four this week, in no particular order other than the first four I thought of.
1. My book! Of course. I submitted the manuscript in January, was offered a contract in April, and the book was released in November. There is nothing quite like the feeling of holding a book with your name on the cover. 
2. Our oldest graduated from high school in June. What an exciting day! Emma went to an arts-concentration high school and studied photography, an area she continues studying now in college in Baltimore.
3. In September, Buggy returned to level-A travel softball after a year-long hiatus. She picked up right where she left off. Her team placed second in two of four tournaments in the fall. She is a fantastic hitter.
4. Bubba earned his black belt after three years of study. He was a little worried the few days before the test, but he and his dad prayed, and he did beautifully. It was a great lesson not only on God’s faithfulness but on hard work and achieving a long-term goal.
Four more next week!