A fresh start

Y’all, 2011 took a lot out of me.  I had these big plans for the year and then on January 3rd we got the (100% fantastic!) news that we were expecting another baby.  We were not taken totally by surprise by this announcement but neither did I think I was pregnant when I posted all of my so-called goals for 2011 on the 1st.  I guess the fact that I was so tired and eating peanut butter cookies like they were going out of style should have been my first clue but I just chalked it up to a stressful trip to Orlando with a one year old!

So needless to say I didn’t stick with much of what was on my goal list for 2011.  I’m happy to say that I did: continue Bible Study with my friends even though it was kind of sporadic due to illness, the April 27th tornadoes, a busy summer, and a new baby in the fall; continue One Tale a Day and get the 2010 book printed; and complete Beth Moore’s scripture challenge. Other than that my goals weren’t really met although I’m pretty sure that it’s ok that “weight loss” as a goal went out the window with that pregnancy test.

Our year started out with a bang and didn’t really slow down.  James’ pregnancy was difficult health wise (in a very not bad in relation to others way) which really messed with my emotional state.  Our best friends moved five hours away which left this girl who doesn’t make best friends very well in a little bit of girl time void.  Charlotte continued with an ear infection that she got before Christmas until she got tubes in March.  The tornadoes in April left us without power for a week and an impromptu trip to Atlanta to get hot water and lights.  And it seems like someone in our family has had at least a cold for almost the entire year!

But this year was also fantastic in that we added little Jamesy to our family.  Jason and I got to take a trip with Kelly and Tripp to Colorado in February (which now seems FOREVER ago!).  We also went with the rest of my family to Nashville for a U2 concert in July.  I was blessed with new friends that don’t replace the old but are creating their own new place.  And even though we’ve been sick all fall we’ve just enjoyed one of the best Christmases ever!

I’m looking forward to 2012.  It was crazy at Christmas to sit back and think, “This time next year we’ll have two little one’s running around!”  Charlotte is only going to grow older and more mature over the year but it’s a huge year development wise for James and this time next year our family will look totally different.

It’s nice to be able to sit back and kind of envision where we’re planning on going.  Jason and I want to take a big belated trip for our five year anniversary that was last summer but who knows if it will actually happen.  Right now we’re in a place where we recognize that our kids need us for everything and we’ve got to take a back seat.  We want to make our marriage a priority but that’s not necessarily feasible in the next year with feedings around the clock and little one’s depending, quite literally, on us providing their every need.

Our life is crazy right now but I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Watching James develop a little more of a personality every day is incredible.  And seeing Charlotte develop her vocabulary, reasoning, awareness, and intelligence is amazing.  I am so looking forward to watching them grow over the next year!

And I think that’s why I’m looking forward to 2012 probably more than any other year before.  2011 was hard, but it’s a new year.  A fresh start.  A time where I can’t foresee any bumps on the horizon although I’m sure there will be some.  I’m thankful (or trying to be!) about the hardships that have happened in the past and hopeful that I can learn from them and move forward.  I’m watching expectantly to see what God has in store for our family in 2012.  Even though I can’t see from here where we’ll be this time next year, I know that I wouldn’t want to be on this ride with anyone else at the helm because I know I can trust God to get me where I need to go!