What's in a Year?

It's funny how when you say "a year" to someone, that time frame for each person can vary. 

In "a year"...

...you can find the person you were meant to spend the rest of your life with AND be married to them!
...for someone who is sick, it can mean that each day is a blessing, and "a year" can seem a lifetime.
...you could be moving so fast through life, that "a year can go by in a blink"!
...you can add a new member to your family!
...your world can change forever!

Traditionally, January 1st is the mark of a new year so to speak.  For us, 3 years ago on January 22nd marked our new year and the day our world changed forever!  That is the day Carly Ann Berry came into our world!  And with each year that has gone by in her life, I am amazed at how much she changes!

Last year...

  This year...

This years party was Rapunzel themed!  (It is Carly's new favorite movie, and it was her first official movie theatre show I took her to see a few weeks ago.)  And it was everything a 3 year old birthday party should be.  Noisy, crowded, full of friends & family, kids running from one room to another, cake, ice cream, a few melt downs and lots of laughter!  

And the difference "a year" makes is remarkable!

  

And while so many things changes, there are some traditions that just won't be broken...

From fingers to forks in a year!

And after the last party goer went home, Carly continued to have a blast with all her new "favorite" toys!

My favorite is the barbie getting a pedicure while sitting on the toilet!

Daddy was quickly enlisted as the assembler of toys...

Notice how Carly is patiently waiting...for the record that is a COMPLETE RARITY in our house!

It is truly amazing how each day holds such small changes, that in a year makes the most profound difference!  And for me "a year" with my little girl is a blessing, a joy, sometimes a challenge, but mostly it is this huge, unbelievable miracle!