2012. a look back.

I already wrote a "goodbye, 2012" blogpost. 

But then I decided I wanted everything that happened in 2012 in one place. With some pictures. 

So that's what I did.

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January: 

The first of many snowy nights in Virginia. Brian spent his nights and days out in the field doing training, while I spent my days holding, playing with, and feeding babies as I nannied for 7 month old triplets. I also got to start a bible study with some of the other wives that ended up being such a blessing to my heart. I miss those ladies! We spent a night with our dear friends, Luke and Kate, in a swanky hotel in DC just for fun.

February:

I spent many of my nights watching Brian do work, write orders, study, etc. We traveled to North Carolina to send Brian's older brother Kirk off to Afghanistan. I made a trip home to Charlotte while Brian was in the field again. And we got to spend our first married Valentine's day together! We really enjoyed our cozy little apartment and loved having people over to feed them dinner. 

March:

I started a blog! New Years Resolution only 3 months late. I wasn't that great about writing posts, but I'm working on it! We found out Brian received ground supply as his job and it took us a while to come around to the idea of it. My love turned 23 and we celebrated with some sweet friends. One of my best friends, Megan, came to visit me and I got to show her our life in Quantico. I spent lots of my nights with Kate, Angela, and Lauren while our boys were out in the field. 

April: 

We found out we were moving to Japan! And we were so excited. I had four of my favorite little ladies and their awesome mama come visit me while Brian was again out in the field. We had the best long weekend together exploring around DC. We spent lots of our weekends with Luke and Kate. And Brian and Luke always fell asleep. And we went to a NeedtoBreathe concert. 

May:

I celebrated my 23 birthday with sweet girl friends since Brian was gone that night. Brian graduated from The Basic School! Both sets of our parents and Brian's brother, Evan, came to his graduation. My cousin Adam, and his girlfriend, Liz, came to visit us and we showed them around DC.  We made a trip to Brian's alma mater, VMI, for an engagement party. Then we got to take a quick getaway to celebrate one year of marriage. The best year of our lives. 

June:

We spent a lot of June on the road traveling to and fro. Trying to see as many family and friends as possible. Just taking every opportunity to spend quality time with the people we love. We loved being together, as we spent much of the past 6 months apart. We went to my cousin's wedding and then spent a week at home in Charlotte. We said bye to friends in Virginia and packed up our stuff to send to Japan (which, still hasn't made it to us!). Brian headed to North Carolina for training and I headed to Mississippi be in a wedding of my oldest, sweetest childhood friend, Bethany. And we got to spend a week at the beach with Brian's family. It was so relaxing and fun. 

July:

I was in a wedding of one of my besties from high school and college, Carly. It was so fun to be back in Chapel Hill celebrating two wonderful people. We moved into a hotel in Jacksonville, NC and lived in close quarters. It was fun sometimes and not fun other times. We spent a lot of weekends at the beach either with my wonderful parents or in Beaufort, NC with Sarah and Bedford and all their fun friends. Our great friend Nathan came with us on many of our beach adventures, though we were missing his wife Ellie, who was deployed. We also developed a great friendship with new friends, Jesse and Katy. 

August:

I took a fun trip to Denver and Boulder to visit friends and go to Brian's cousins wedding. It was such a fun trip, but I was bummed to have to leave Brian back home. Back in Jacksonville, I spent my mornings working out at Curves and Brian got to come home for lunch everyday. I made a trip to the beach to spend a girl's weekend with my mama, and then another to spend a weekend with my nana and my aunt and uncle. 

September:

Kirk came home from Afghanistan! We got to go welcome him home in Fayetteville and we were so so thankful for his safe return. We spent labor day weekend at home in Charlotte and cherished more family time. Brian graduated from Ground Supply Officers Course! He worked so hard and I was so proud of him. We headed back home to Charlotte to spend the last few weeks with family before our big move. We had multiple going away parties, got to spend time with all our siblings, and felt so loved by the people around us. 

October:

My two best friends came and spent my last day in Charlotte with me. October 3rd, we left for Japan! Tearful airport goodbyes with our parents, but were so excited for the road ahead. We spent a night and day in Seattle and had the best time thanks to Brian's sis, Erin, who has the inside scoop on Seattle life. We flew through Iwakuni and Yakota, and then finally arrived on Okinawa on October 5th. We went to the Naha Tug of War and were baptized by fire into the Okinawa culture. We were totally delirious because of the time difference and had no idea what was going on, but it was fun. We bought a car and started exploring as soon as possible. We got moved into our home and lived a floor away from our friends, Nick and Sarah. We visited the aquarium and spent our weekends just driving around/learning to drive on the left side of the road. And we ate enough sushi to kill a small human. 

November:

We found a church that we love here and immediately got plugged into a community group. We continued to meet new friends through church and where we live. We developed a fast and awesome friendship with another couple in our building, Joel and Jenni. Brian's job was busy busy, but he always had the best perspective. He works with great people, so we are thankful for that. We got to go to 2 Marine Corps birthday balls which was a great way to get to know the people Brian works with. We did lots more exploring of the island and had our first Japanese karaoke experience. We spent Thanksgiving surrounded by friends, new and old, and were thankful for being on this beautiful island. 

December:

We started making our house feel like a home, even though we have yet to receive our shipment. We bought a couch, a TV, and a few other pieces of furniture. We spent our weekends cozied up by the Christmas tree watching movies and being lazy. Brian's work days are long and we love love love spending our weekends together. We skyped and facetimed with family back home a lot and we're so thankful for technology. We had 12 Marines over for breakfast on Christmas morning and loved having a dining table full of friends. We took a drive out to Cape Zanpa on Christmas day just for fun. We brought in the new year playing monopoly with friends and are so happy to be here in Japan. 

//

And congrats for making it to the end. We can now officially put 2012 to rest. 

Happy New Year, dear friends!

scenes from a christmas morning

Our Christmas morning started very early since we knew we would have a house full for breakfast by 9 AM. As I was rushing around trying to get breakfast casseroles in the oven, cut up fruit salad, and quickly wrap a few last gifts-- I looked out the window and was hit with this view. 

Long lay the world in sin and error pining / till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth / a thrill of hope the weary world rejoices / for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

And then I stopped. And thanked Jesus for coming. And thanked him for this New and Glorious Morn.

 And remembered that He had to come, so that I could live. 

It's not about the presents, it's not about the food, it's not even about being with family. All those things are great and such wonderful additions to the Christmas season, but the reason we celebrate, the reason that we are ALIVE to celebrate is because of Jesus. The giver of life. The only good and perfect gift the world will ever know. 

Being far away from home and from family this Christmas season has been hard, but it has totally brought me back to this truth. That Jesus came on Christmas day and lived a perfect life and died a horrible death. For me. For you. For this fallen world. So that we could live. And that is worth celebrating. 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Isaiah 9:6

Brian started our morning off with a little family devotion from our favorite: His Utmost for My Highest.

Then: PRESENTS! Ya'll. I admit it. I feel LOVED through gifts. It's maybe not my first love language, but it's up there. Call me selfish, but I love a present. Actually, I love surprises even more than presents.
 So come visit me, and don't tell me you're coming. Okay?

(also, my husband surprised me with an AMAZING present. it deserves it's own post.)

The People: Hey Kenz, We really wanna see what you look like before coffee with 6:30 AM sleepy eyes. 

McKenzie: You people are lucky I love you. 

Facetime Gift Opening with the fam! This was technically Christmas Eve. But, who's really counting?

 My family is so generous! Awesome wooden chopping block from my sis, Apple TV, and a kindle fire!
Plus lots of other little treats. 

My mom is an awesome gift giver, and funny enough: 

I am an awesome gift receiver :)

And these are pre-Christmas Eve candle light service. We decided to get a little fancy. 

Hey Handsome.

We hope that your Christmas was restful and joyful and that you were reminded of 

all the ways the Lord has blessed you over the past year. 

From the Hardings in Okinawa, to you, wherever you are:
Merry, Merry Christmas and a wonderful, blessed New Year!

the last of Lejeune

Yesterday, we said goodbye to Camp Lejeune and to dear friends we have made over the past 3 months there. It was a little sad for sure, but we are READY for what is ahead. Japan! 

Out biggest prayer throughout our Brian's time in the Marine Corps has consistently been for community. We just want to be in community with people growing and learning and getting to share the good news of Christ. We are absolutely blown away by how God has answered our prayer each place we have been. See, we were moved to Lejeune for 3 months. 3 months is such an awkward time and we felt certain that it would simply be a place of transition, no where to put down any roots. But man, God had a different plan. We made some of the deepest and most sincere friendships of our life during these past 3 months and were reminded that our God is not constrained by time. He works when He works. And oh, how thankful we are for that. 

Some friends of ours prayed for Brian and I on our last night in Jacksonville and spoke these two specific scriptures over our lives, 

"May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples."  Genesis 28:3

"I will give you every place where you set your foot.. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous." 

Joshua 1:3-6

So this is what we are believing for our time in Japan-- that God would provide community, that he would give us favor with the people that we meet, and that He would be with us through every step.

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Now we are back home in Charlotte, trying to make the most of the next two weeks-- seeing every friend and family member possible one last time before we head out on this adventure. 

i guess we're beach people now

Lots of our weekends here in Jacksonville are spent at the beach. Just relaxing, reading, refreshing and recalibrating (see how I did that? That was very baptist preacher of me). Except that we also eat a lot and I wanted to include that, but it didn't start with an -re. 

My wonderful parents have this great place on the inner coastal that's less than a two hour drive from where we are living in Jacksonville. It's just so easy to jump in the car and spend a night or two in a different place, out of this marine town and out of the hotel room. So easy in fact that this is exactly what I'll be doing this week. Brian starts a 3 week intensive supply course, and my dad is out of town, so I'm meeting my mama at the beach! Don't mind if I do. 

We also have some family on Brian's side that live about an hour away. They have been SO incredibly gracious and generous to bring us into their home, make us meals, take us out on their boat, and give us a place to relax. 

We are truly blessed by the people in our lives that love us so well. 

And yes, Brian likes to read and walk. It's cute. He learned that from his parents.

 

Oh who is that? Just your 2016 Olympic kayaking team. Look at that form..

the little things: hotel living

So I guess I'm finding that hotel living is not real conducive to blogging because welllll, it's been two weeks since I posted. My B. I don't know if it's that my hotel lifestyle is not interesting enough to write about or if it's that we have cable for the first time and House Hunters plays ALL day, EVERY day.

Anyways, my life still feels in transition mode and I'm starting to get a little stir crazy living in 300 square feet. It's always helpful and refreshing and really healthy for me to look back over my week and see the little blessings that keep me sane. I can be real quick to throw myself a pity party about how chaotic and misplaced everything in my life feels right now, but in reality, the Lord has provided for us so much and in so many ways throughout this season. I think we will look back on this time fondly, when we got to live so simply and spend such quality time together.

1. Seeing Brian in the middle of the day? YES.

2. Ice cream cones right down the street for $1.50. It's almost a nightly thing for us now.

3. We have dinner in bed every night. Why? Because our kitchen table is a bed tray. 

4. My favorite afternoon snack. Quinoa, coconut milk, fruit, walnuts, honey. Delish. 

5. Again, he came home for lunch, but this time he brought Chick Fil A with him. Double YES. 

 1. I got to spend 1 on 1 time with my mama last week at the beach. Just me and her. What a sweet time that I will cherish forever. She is truly one of a kind.

2. A walk by the inlet with my love. I could get used to living on the water with sights like this. 

3. I got blessed with a free membership to Curves. And yes, I am the youngest person by 25 years there. I love all the sweet old ladies. It's awesome.

4. Date night at the beach with my mama. Enjoying me a nice glass o' wine. 

I truly have so much to be thankful for. What a sweet little life we get to live. God is good to us.

if you care to follow along, instagram: mckenzieharding

Linking up with Lindsay!

showing up.

Feels like we've been driving nonstop for the past month. Ever since Brian finished up at TBS we have just been going, going, going. I love it. I really do. It's physically exhausting, yes, but emotionally, SO refreshing. 

Since finding out about our move to Japan, Brian and I have been trying hard to take in every opportunity to get around the people that we love one last time. We are strong believers in the idea of showing up. Making that extra effort to be at events that are important to people that are important to us. Actions speak louder than words and we are trying hard to live that out over our last few months here in the states.
Yes, it takes work and planning and time; but we never, ever regret investing in relationships. 

And there really is nothing like being with family and people that you love. 

We spent the past week in Raleigh and in Charlotte, just spending time with family and our Charlotte friends. It was so wonderful and rejuvenating. Many, many memories made. 

And now, picture overload. Here we go. 

First up, we got to celebrate the soon to be newlyweds, Erica and Tyler! So excited for this marriage and what these two are going to do for the Kingdom of God.

(poor quality pictures, but high quality people..)

Then, my cousin got married, and it was beautiful and lovely.

Glass Cheerwine bottles? YES! 

Our sweet niece, Ivie Lu, had her first ever dance recital. Obviously, she is the cutie pliéing on the left. 

I got some good QT in with Ivie's baby brother Max, aka my new favorite person. 

Those CHEEKS. Seriously?

He was begging me to let him wear this shirt, I swear.

Hammocking. 

This is where I spent lots of my days. My parents back porch is glorious. 

I could read out there all. day. long. 

And sometimes, I do.

My family was all together! This may not happen for a long, long time and we enjoyed every sweet minute of it. Except for the minute in which this picture was taken. I was complaining because my arms felt awkward and I kept making everyone take more pictures. 

My awesome, handsome cousin Myles graduated high school! We are so proud of you, Myles!

And of course, an insta collage.

Bear with me for the next... 4 months. We are going to be all over the place. Living in a hotel for 2 1/2 months. Back in Charlotte for a month. And then onto Japan. I'm not making any promises about this blog, except that I WILL be more consistent once we settle down in Japan. So really, stick with me.

And pray for us, as this is the current state of our lives..