Top Ten Photos of the Year

Happy New Year's Eve!!

I think 2008 was the last time I did a Top Ten Photos of the Year post, which is such a shame because I've looked back on that 2008 "snapshot" often and with much fondness. Wow...how different our lives looked then!

Probably I haven't done it because its a daunting task to go through the amount of pictures I take in a year, but at only 10,000 personal photos for the year, sparse by comparison, I thought I'd give it a try...it actually wasn't too hard to decide.

And so, Top Ten Photos of 2014, in the order they were taken....drumroll please:

#1 This one picture represents a TON of fun in the snow we had. It was our first winter in the new house with our very own sledding hill. We made so many fun memories and took advantage of our plethora of snowdays. Hard not to embrace the white stuff with faces like this.

#2 This happened to be on Easter but our family picture looked different depending on which week of the year it was. Ten different foster kids came through our home before we had to put respite care on hold in September....so grateful for the people God brought into our lives...they've helped us grow into better people.

#3 Our annual trip to Florida is a highlight. Its always right after tax season so it allows us valuable time to regroup as a family and visit with extended family. This year Nana booked us a place right on the water, which was an extra-special treat.

This picture was taken moments after getting out of the car after our 20-hour car ride...love the pure joy written on Avery's face and expressed in all the others.

#4 Strong, healthy, active, three-sport kids, who are learning and growing and fighting through challenges.

#5 The zipline that Uncle Nathan made for us was a huge hit this summer and lots and lots of people got to enjoy it. I have many pictures of it in action, but this was among the first.

#6 Its nothing fancy, but this river and park is a mile from our house (and free!) and is a favorite spot to visit to beat the heat and be together.

#7 This is representative of the dad Shaun is. This day he was trying to get to work, but Aiden needed help capturing a butterfly that had found its way onto the porch. So he paused his agenda to be present for Aiden. Shaun is his very best behind closed doors when no one is watching (including me with my camera. :))  Also, he just looks really, umm...handsome all dressed for his white-collar job.

#8 You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have truly lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love. ~Henry Drummond

We had this 8-year old girl for just a month, but she stole my heart immediately. So many layers of pain but so much potential. I've questioned God more than once on her particular situation and why we couldn't have been more involved, but all I can do is leave her in God's hands and trust that He works all things for good.

Also, I remember being in so much cancer pain when this was taken, the day I brought her back to her permanent foster home. Its not a "happy" top ten photo in that regards, but I AM thankful I had the pain that eventually prompted me to go to the doctor.

#9 Family, my side. My people.

Family, Shaun's side. My people.

#10 The finish line of the Hartford Marathon in October. These two paid to jump into the race with me at mile 13 and mile 20, without a medal to show for it and many others stood out in the cold rain for countless hours waiting for me to cross, while still others who couldn't be there sent gifts, flowers and notes of congratulations. It was an emotional victory and the first time "Team Lisa" took on real meaning for me. Humbling.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 

And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. Revelations 21:4-6