Farewell, 2013

Here we are again, concluding yet another year. Ushering out the old and welcoming in the new. Time for a fresh start!

I love the New Year, not only for its promise of new beginnings but also for the forced reflection on days gone by. I feel like every year, as I head into New Year's Eve, I think, "eh, this last year was pretty uneventful." And then I spend some time flipping through pictures and scanning old blog posts and I realize, hey, this year was actually amazing and action-packed and one to remember. Every year, it's the same old dance.

This year was no exception. Our first full calendar year as Florida residents, at first blush 2013 seemed like a pretty ho-hum year, especially compared to the action-packed, exhilarating days of our former New York life. But in fact, it's not that our life is boring now, but it is different and the focus has shifted. Our time is filled fewer red carpets and wild events, and more with family and friends and each other. And that's not a terrible way to spend a year.

There were a great many memorable moments of 2013, including Ellie's first birthday, our Sea World trip, Ellie learning to walk, our Midwestern Road Trip (including being Duckmasters at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, and Eric playing Whistling Straits in Wisconsin), Eric's summer in Jacksonville for Teach For America Institute, our move to Jacksonville, Eric's start as a high school teacher and football coach, Ellie really starting to talk, and visits and weddings and birthday parties and lots of time with family and friends.

Overall, I think it goes without saying that 2013 was a year of great change for us. Naturally, the biggest changes came in the form of our move to Jacksonville and Eric's new career. I can't say that we are concluding this year with a feeling of being settled in this new life, but I am hopeful that 2014 will bring more closure, peace and acceptance of our new path, as well as clarity for what the future holds. And, much like its predecessor, 2014 certainly promises to bring more new, exciting things for our family!

I hope you all are looking back on your year in 2013 with fondness and peace, and I wish you nothing but the best in the new year. Thank you all for sharing in yet another year of memories with us.

VIDEO: A look back at our 2013

Happy New Year, friends!

Signing off for 2013,

Meghan