A Review of 2013 & Looking Ahead to 2014

This year was a tough one for our family, but we definitely grew a lot in 2013. Here we go..the good and the bad from 2013:

1. We got approved for, designed, built, and lost a house all in the matter of months. (definitely a blessing in disguise)
2. We graduated from Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. 
3. I got let go from my first industry job on my birthday in April.
4. Our first baby, my therapy kitty Ying, passed away unexpectedly at the end of June.
5. In July we adopted 2 kitten brothers from the Humane Society (Oscar and Bo).
6. In August, I started teaching the lab portion of an Introduction to Web Design class. I also started my second semester of graduate school.
7. In September, I finally found a job that wasn't minimum wage. I love it.
8. In October, we moved out of our apartment in Cicero and moved to Noblesville. We are closer to everything and have less "interesting" neighbors here.
9. My dad's doctor found a lump in his prostate in November. (He is having surgery to remove it in January - shouldn't need chemo or radiation after).

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2014

I've already started working on the things in my "goals for 2014" list. I've always felt it's stupid to start until January 1st to do something, so I've already started a few of these.

• Get Young Love Graphics branded and start picking up several freelance jobs (no more than 5 at a time - be realistic).
• Fill up my empty shelf (see more on this).
• Tithe better. 10% - period. No ifs, ands, or buts.
• Organize the apartment following the Organize in 5 Diary.
• Love myself. I have already learned to love my body, so now it's turn to love the inside of myself - that's going to be a tough one.
• Get rid of at least $10,000 of debt.

Have a happy New Year everyone!

Merry Christmas from the Youngs!

Below is this years' Christmas letter and photograph. All family and friends have received them now, so it's okay to post! ;) Be sure to click on the image for a larger view!

What happened to my thankfulness every day in November?

Well. Life happened.

Classes and work got very chaotic. My dad was also told that he has prostate cancer.

Once finding out my dad had cancer, I fell apart. I would lay on the couch or in bed with no motivation to do anything. I fell behind in grading. Fell behind in homework, and my work started deteriorating. As some of you know, my mom had breast cancer about 8 years ago. She is a survivor by the grace of God. However, she went through chemotherapy and radiation. If any of you has seen someone go through that, you know how painful it is to watch. Once I found out about my dad, I started having flashbacks of when my mom went through that. Just, not a good time.

My dad has decided to do a robotic surgery in January. Not too sure if the doctor will want him to do chemo and radiation with it, but I'm assuming we will find out on Tuesday when he goes to see the doctor again.

Sorry about all of the bad news - just hasn't been an awesome year for our family. Is it 2014 yet?

I am finishing up the last of my finals today. Tomorrow, I will begin working on my "game plan" for my freelance business in 2014.  I found out my hours got cut in HALF at the university, so I either need to find another part-time job or start up my freelance work again. I'm going with the ladder and hoping for a good turn out. I truly believe God will provide. We will figure this out. We are a strong family.