Our Year in Review

I think most of us are guilty of looking ahead to the next “big” thing--what better time than now? With 2012 approaching, it's easy to get caught up in the possibilities of a new year and the anticipation of things to come. However, by always looking ahead, we tend to miss what's happening RIGHT NOW. And even though I didn't see it at the time, we had a pretty big 2011 around here.

Our Top Ten Moments of 2011:
1. Sassy was a flower girl in Aunt Mo's wedding. And we were thrilled to have Uncle Bear join our crazy brood. What a beautiful day! Our apologies to the numerous guests who had food stolen off of their plates by Stinkus. We really do feed her. But you saw her on the dance floor—a girl's gotta keep her energy up somehow!

2. R and I had birthdays that aren't milestones to anyone but me--but being as close to 40 as 30 is a big deal to this mama. 40?!?! Seriously?! However, I got carded yesterday at a local convenience store so I think I'll ROCK 40. :) Stay tuned for BIG bashes in five (almost four, gulp) years!!!

3. We welcomed our nephew K into the world and were SO grateful he took his own sweet time getting here. We are SO happy for Uncle M, Aunt S, and Big Sis M. Thank you, God, for answered prayers!

4. After three years, I (FINALLY) got my braces off! Definitely worth waiting for!

5. We thought about moving and then realized we have everything we want here. Lots of square footage, our own “park” outside, and a blue toilet.

6. R and I celebrated ten years of marriage by spending eight days in Florida. It was such a great time. The girls had a blast too—they got eight days of being spoiled rotten by their grandparents and aunties. :)

7. Sassy started kindergarten! She LIVES for school and honestly gets mad when a Saturday rolls around and—heaven forbid—she has to stay home with us. I think Stinkus is enjoying going to the sitter alone. The only person to tattle on her for daily timeout in the corner is herself (and yes, she pointed out to me one day which corner was hers. Nice.)

8. R started a new (and hopefully last!) career. We're SO proud of him and the difference he makes in patients' lives.

9. Stinkus moved to a big girl bed. I can remember saying when she was a baby: "WHEN will she stop crying every morning?" Well, she's stopped. The other morning I woke to a sweet little voice singing her own version of "Jingle Bells." Of course, that was before she came barreling into my room at 100 mph shrieking: "I wake up NOW?!" And someday, I will miss this too. . .

10. We went into debt with a surgery I had on my leg. Darn insurance deductibles going UP. :( I had a vein that was hurting me and it was a long time coming. Oh well. I'm hoping that I'll stop feeling nauseous about the money when I'm wearing shorts again next summer for the first time in YEARS.

We're wrapping up the year and excited for everything 2012 will bring:
a new niece or nephew
(hopefully) our last box of diapers
Daddy's certification
shorts!
1st grade
fewer timeouts in the corner?

Even better--everything that we don't know about yet! May you all have a blessed 2012!