meffed up-2012 recap

Guess I have been avoiding my blog long enough! I blame my overbooked schedule, out of town relative and holiday festivities for getting me off track.

Time for some meffed up fun! 2012 was a wonderful year for the “meffam” & we are looking forward to the new adventures that await us in 2013.

The boys are getting so big! At 14, Eli (bubbameff) is the tallest in the family.  We always knew this was going to happen.  He was 21 inches at birth, long and skinny; not much has changed! He is totally a techno-teenager.  Loves his video games, you tube and is researching and saving money so he can build his own computer (uh- sorry kid, no help from mom and dad on that one!)

He is very responsible, quiet and sincere. He’s still got that great sense of humor & has fallen in love with all sitcoms filled with “snarkyness” and wit.  He has a great group of friends that any mamma would be pleased to empty her cupboards out for.  He continues to play baseball and basketball and enjoys shooting hoops with dad and little brother. He has adjusted wonderfully to high school and made us very happy by making the A/B Honor roll. Just like his daddy, he is very politically aware.  He follows issues of social justice with great interest & is active in his high schools’ Model UN club as well as our awesome church’s youth group.

Isaiah (babymeff) is on the cusp of being 11.  Can I still call him a baby? Sure I can!  A true “Renaissance man”.  He loves art, likes to knit, sculpt and play bass. (He was recently selected for the county wide honors orchestra). He is also an excellent athlete (soccer, basketball, football, baseball and most recently- Tae Kwan Do).

He continually  makes the A/B honor roll & he is still our sweet little boy.  He likes to cuddle, LOVES for me to read aloud to him anything Rick Riordan & is very content just hanging out at home working on a puzzle or helping me with craft project.  His bestest buddy Kelani (our 3rd son) moved to a new neighborhood and we don’t see him as much- so Isaiah misses his “twin” (we all do!)

Bill (daddymeff) is busy, busy, busy.  His work at GBCS keeps him on the road a whole lot.  He traveled 90+ days in 2012.  His passion for change is so empowering.  I am often amazed at his dedication and un-relentless devotion to the  hard “grassroots” work of humane immigration reform, ending mass incarceration and so many other issues of injustice.  He truly believes and lives out that one person can make a difference.  He looks at problems and asks “what can I do to take action on this issue and what can I do to help you take action?”  After 16 years it’s still that characteristic that I am most attracted to in him.

We celebrated our 16th anniversary this December & were so thankful Bill’s mom (Grandma Nan) was here at the time so we could actually unwind and enjoy some “us” time.

Me-2012 was a memorable year in many ways. In October I celebrated 5 years as an employee with Arlington County.  I have never worked anywhere that long.  I was recognized with an award for “Clinical Excellence” – it was nice to be recognized.  I still enjoy my job, it is demanding & yet I know my work makes a positive impact in our community.

My photography business is growing and keeps me too busy.  But I love meeting new people, hearing their stories and then capturing their personalities in photos.  It’s a challenge to find balance.  I love photography so much and the immediate reward of seeing a beautiful image that makes someone smile is a great payoff!  I have fallen in love with several families and have had the honor of photographing them over the last 3 years and nothing could make me happier! Only time will tell where this incredible hobby will take me in 2013!

As a family, we had some great adventures in 2012.  In July my dad (Grandpaw Miers) treated us to vacation in BEAUTIFUL California (the trip was a actually a B-day gift from Eli’s 13th b-day.)  Grandpaw Miers is such a great host for these adventures.  We vacationed in style and have so many wonderful memories from this trip. We got to see precious relatives and friends.  I joked how the people we love the most are all in California.  We seriously discussed moving there, but I am not a fan earthquakes &  we love the 4 seasons of the East Coast. So, I guess for now Cali will simply remain our favorite vacation state!

In August the 4 of us meff’s traveled to Ohio.  I totally (100%) relinquished control of this vacation to daddymeff.  He saved $ for a year, planned it all out and all I had to do was pack my bag. I have to say I was very impressed! We rocked and rolled in Cleveland for several days, saw the Indians defeat the Red Sox & saw the Browns practice & got tons of signatures.  The boys went to the Football Hall of Fame & I detoured and enjoyed the antique stores nearby.  After 6 years in hectic DC- it was refreshing to be in a big city that has a small town feel to it.  I fell in love with the Buckeye State!

During the hottest days of summer our whole region was hit with a catastrophic “Derecho”  which is very similar to a tornado & man it was UGLY! We had no power for 5 days.  Then in October we got to hunker down for  Hurricane Sandy which did very little damage in our neck of woods and we continue to pray for and support those who were impacted up North.

2013 our hope is to focus more on health and balance.   Balance is not something you see a lot of in the DC area.  It’s a very driven, fast place and we struggle to find a slower pace that allows for self care.

So here’s to balance and health! Here’s to a New Year.  We pray God’s blessings on all of you.  We are so thankful for the wonderful gift of family and friends.