It baffles me when another year seems to somehow sneak by. At the end of each year, I always tend to stop and think, "Where was I a year ago?" The only wish that I have for myself is that with each passing year, I become wiser, maybe a bit more loving, more caring, and am always aiming to be smarter. The last thing that I want is to stop growing and changing.
I didn't realize all that had happened this past year until I decided to create this post. Once I started looking at the pictures, I realized how much has happened and that the 29 year old Deanna is not the girl she was a year ago. My birthday is still a week away but since Joe and I are going out of town, I chose to share today. I have so many things that I could write about from Year 28 but instead, have decided to portray this amazing year through pictures.
Enjoy!
Of course, we have to start off with my birthday from last year... Joe had already deployed to Iraq but he was very present for my birthday. My sweet and wonderful man surprised me with an iPad in which he engraved, "This iPad and Joe's heart belong to Deanna Ryan. Forever."
At the time, I was living in Lafayette as I was saving money for my Thailand trip. I was very lucky to have some very sweet girls drive from Houston to Lafayette to celebrate...
Not long after my birthday, it was time to start packing for my three month adventure to Thailand...
Then the Thailand adventure began...
The trip started off with a bike tour in Bangkok...
... I visited many Buddhists temples...
...Played Thai dress up...
...Taught local children...
...And even though Joe and I were in two completely different countries, he was still very present on this adventure of mine.
For the first time in my life, I got really excited to see McDonald's...
...Rolled in the Deep...
...Survived tuk-tuk drivers...
...Drank Thai whiskey...
...And managed to escape flooding.
After the flooding, my trip plans changed a bit.
I studied and practiced meditation for 12 days... One of the more difficult things that I have done in my life...
... Went backpacking through Northern Thailand...
...Zip lined...
...Hung out with sweet local children...
... Fell plenty of times (trust me, I have the scars to prove it)...
...Bathed and rode elephants...
...Ate some crazy food....
...Met truly wonderful people from all of the world...
...Rode about 500 miles on a moped (and only crashed twice...ha!!!)...
...Was invited to a Funeral Dinner with locals where they celebrated the life of the deceased...
...Drank vodka from buckets...
...Went snorkeling and saw a shark...Eek!
...Rock climbed...
...And finally came home to my wonderful and loving family (including a baby nephew who was on the way!).
Not long after I came home from Thailand, Joe returned from Iraq...
And after all this time, we finally moved in together!
Joe reenlisted...
...And my sweet sister graduated from college (Hallelujah! Praise you Jesus!)...
Then we all celebrated by going to New Orleans...
Not long after, my honey and I rang in the New Year!
And before I knew it, Valentine's Day was around the corner and he proposed!
During 2012, I have...
Seen my favorite band, Givers, in the rain...
...Drank lots o' wine...
...Ate plenty of crawfish...
...Thrown my first baby shower...
...Gotten married to my best friend...
...And received the most precious gift ever: my sweet godchild, Ira.
As a married couple, we have...
Attended a military ball...
...Gone on a marriage retreat...
...AND... went to the Dominican for our second wedding and our Honeymoon...
...Which was where I learned to play flipcup in a pool (not the most attractive picture of me but that's besides the point)...
...And I got to have the whole bride experience all over again!
Wedding Number Two!!!
It was such a fantastic experience!
...And drank foreign energy drinks with names that made me kind of hesitant...
...Got a sweet lil banner on our door...
...And, yes, even swam in our wedding attire!
Not only did I get a husband this year but I also received another wonderful family.
As you can see, my brother-in-law clearly loves me...
As do my sweet sister-in-laws...
...And new nieces and nephews!
During Year 28, I have enjoyed nature...
... Watching my sister become an amazing woman and mother...
...And being a Nannie to the most precious little boy ever...
...And as always, my loving, thoughtful, and caring husband has not failed in making this year begin with me smiling! He surprised me with an incredibly fancy camera (more than I could have ever asked for) and once again, has made me feel so loved and cared for.
This year has not been perfect but when I look back at it, my heart can't help but swell with gratitude and happiness. I have been so very blessed. I am and will be eternally grateful for all of the people who have stood beside me during the times when I have had incredibly tough decisous to make. My husband and my sister have been my two greatest cheerleaders and supporters and there's not much that I could do without them.
There is a whole lot that is uncertain for Year 29 but I know that with all of the love that I have around me, everything will work out just fine.
Let's go 29! I'm ready to make this the best year yet!!!
