Moody Mania: January 2016

We are three weeks into the new year, and there are so many exciting things already on the books for 2016. It's going to be fantastic.

But as we begin the new year I can't help but reflect on the last twelve months...the numerous prayers that were answered during those seasons...the good and the wonderful. I'm sure I will inadvertently leave out a few details, but this is a recap of 2015.

I started the year off by singing and playing the piano at the SC Citizens for Life dinner and meeting the key speaker, Melissa Ohden, who survived an abortion. You can watch her story here: Melissa Ohden: The Abortion Survivor Story.

And we celebrated Wren's 2nd Birthday in January: farm style!

We didn't get any snow last year, but we sure hoped for it.

I also created a Facebook music page, Katharine Moody Music, and the first video was my parody of Taylor Swift's "Blank Space," which you can watch here. That was a blast to create. It also became one of my new favorite hobbies.

Granddaddy Glenn's Birthday called for some chocolate cake.

Welcome to the world, sweet Caroline!

February is always sweet, especially with this little sugary chef.

We celebrated Valentine's Day with this sweetie and had a blast at Hunter & Reagan's wedding!

Then, on February 19th, 2015, a big prayer was answered! I was offered a new job at Grand Canyon University!!! I flew to Phoenix in March for training and met a group of incredible people with whom I still keep in touch.

Here is the story on how I got the job: "When God Says Yes".

Here is the video of me screaming after getting "THE" phone call with the offer.

And here are the good, funny, and hilarious stories of my Phoenix excursions, including a frightening experience with crawfish: "When Columbia Met Phoenix".

Upon my return I was greeted with the MOST hilarious haircut of the century when Ryan cut Emerson's bangs. I found this out via text before boarding a plane home.

It's been almost a year, and to this day people stop me in Wal-Mart asking if my daughter was the one with the funny haircut.

Yep, guilty as charged.

The next week Emerson had her tubes put in, and her doctor, Frank Hill, prayed with her and for her during the procedure. I was so impressed!

My assistant had a little too much fun helping me set up my home office.

I guess Ryan's scissor escapade was the inspiration behind cutting six inches off my hair, which has now all grown back and then some.

April included Easter! It was absolutely eggs-cellent.

Hilarious flashback: my Dad (in a flustered fury) running around the church grounds in that bunny suit with a plastered smile. "Come ON, Emerson! GEEZ!"

Here is our Easter in a nutshell...I mean, eggshell: Basket Cases.

Happy 90th Birthday to Great Grandma Mattie Lee!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Bekah!

And happy undisclosed number of years to my Dad, Mom, and Grandmother! Spring brings many Birthday candles.

Emerson learned that she can get - and get away with- just about anything when it comes to my parents.

..and that goes for Ryan's parents, too.

We also learned last year that Emerson isn't a morning person, either.

One of the highlights of May was Mother's Day! I now realize just how monumental this day is. The accompanying exhaustion, frustration, and sanity deficit is all worth it.

Mother's Day story: Who's Your Mommy?

And Uncle Jay came to visit that month! We celebrated pool-side as we enjoyed the re-opening of our neighborhood pool.

#BabeWatch

I also met THREE baby girls on the same day: Jocelyn, Collins, & Anna. This happened to be the exact date of Princess Charlotte's Birth!

#GirlPower

Also that month, the most major prayer request I've ever had was answered: my grandfather accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. I will NEVER forget that phone call from my Dad as I was overwhelmed with peace. Never ever give up on your prayers, even if you've been asking for decades.

We had fun with Dorothy on Memorial Day.

In June we had a mother/daughter date to the botanical gardens and took some beautiful pictures that we'll treasure forever.

Photography by Erica B. Studio + Design

Then came Father's Day!

And THEN came...the construction zone. For the next 8 eight weeks we would spend our lives in a renovation zone, but it was all worth it in the end. Here is the full story: Strike a Pose and Remodel.

When Trace turned two we celebrated with Thomas the Train!!! That's a lot of T's if you're counting.

70s day, anyone? #FlowerChild #TheBowisaNo

We spent the majority of last summer in the pool with various family members who played catch...with her as the ball!

July included an EPIC trip to the beach with an even more epic parasailing excursion. Check it out here: "Vacation Shore is Fun".

And when we returned home we had to bring part of the beach with us.

Happy 9th Birthday, Dawson!

Happy 2nd Birthday to Isaac!

The major house renovation project was completed JUST in time for Jay's visit to Columbia, this time with a wonderful girlfriend in tow named Laura. Answered prayer #3. We absolutely adore everything about her!

Also in August, Ryan had been pestering me to get rid of a bunch of our old things that we no longer use. We happened to mention this in front of Jamie and Chris, and thus the idea of a combined yard sale was born.

Moral of the story? The time spent with our friends was well worth it. The unfathomable effort to haul all of that junk across town and barter with people over a dollar? Not so much. But you won't know until you try. Never again!

On August 8th I hosted my first Night of Worship at India Hook United Methodist Church in Rock Hill! It was an amazing, intimate experience with so many new people that I had just met. I thank God for that opportunity and pray for more.

Next up, Crissie and I joined our voices for the annual "Sing Fling" at Dillon Congregational. Love those folks!

And we were thrilled to be part of George's 50th Birthday surprise!

We celebrated Aaron's 2nd Birthday with Ross and friends!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Audrey! This calls for donuts and pajamas.

Ryan's cousin Lexie had the grand opening of her new salon: Alexis Reid Hair Salon & Merle Norman Cosmetics.

...and we welcomed Aaron (Moody) home from overseas!

Emerson loves her daycare friends. This was the first week of the new "school" year.

...and we kicked off football season.

Through my wonderful job I also met a member at North Trenholm Baptist Church and got in touch with their worship leader. We've met so many fantastic and talented people here! One of my favorite moments was singing Carrie Underwood's "Something in the Water." You can watch it here.

September started with Dillon FBC's annual Dinner on the Grounds, or the fellowship hall, where it is much cooler.

Happy 2nd Birthday to Gabe, who is going to be a big brother in 2016!

Happy Birthday, Uncle KK!

THEN came...the NIGHT OF WORSHIP! Months of preparation, so much practice, so much focus on so many details...and it all came together perfectly; not because of anything I did or anything from those involved. It was the hands of our Creator that made it a success!

"Jesus Was Here: A Night of Worship Recap"

That was one of the most wonderful days of my life.

The next weekend we partied with Ross on his 2nd Birthday with Elmo and friends!

Then October rolled around...and this one was JAM PACKED!!! Just wait: "Only in October"

We celebrated my Birthday with friends the weekend before hurricane Jaquin wreaked havoc on our state. Little did we know what was about to take place.

And this is how I woke up on my actual Birthday...

Oh, the SC flood. It was one that will never be forgotten.

I've always been proud of the state in which I was born, but especially when I witnessed so many people helping one another for no benefit of their own. So many lives were changed forever, and thankfully our home was spared, even though the walls were mysteriously victimized with a purple crayon.

We took Emerson to the state fair for the first time that month, and she rode the slides, chowed down on food, and even got on the big ferris wheel. What will I do next year when she wants to ride the coaster? Answer: bring a brown bag.

Happy wedding day to Taylor! I played the piano and sang.

When Ryan turned 31 and Grandma Debra turned 60 the whole gang came over to celebrate.

We began Halloween day with a first trip to the pumpkin patch. It was a smashing success. Smashing...pumpkins...see what I did there?

We spent Halloween night at FBC's Trunk or Treat with this little rag doll.

And just like that...our beautiful, beloved daughter turned two.

A second Birthday calls for two parties, right?!? Get all the details here: "When Disney Came to Dillon...And Columbia!"

As if the parties weren't enough of a project, I remade the entire "Just the Two of us" song, complete with a video for Emerson's special gift. You can watch it here.

In November Emerson had her portrait drawn by a professional artist. I happened to visit the Carousel Boutique several months ago and asked who drew the beautiful picture on display. As it turns out, Donna McMahon is in high demand, and her semi-annual visits book quickly, so I immediately made a reservation. I was absolutely thrilled with the finished product! This is a way for us to keep her little forever.

The next weekend- as a way to "breathe" after so much insanity, Jamie and I took a trip to Greenville to visit Karen, but not without a stop in Japan on the way: "A November to Remember"

Emerson moved up to the two year old classroom! This was her first day. They're actually called the "Tiger Twos"...sorry, Ryan.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Aria!

I played piano for Morgan and Michael Hayes's wedding the weekend before Thanksgiving. Michael's parents are my Sunday School teachers, and I adore their family!