Goodbye 2011. Welcome 2012.

I've been somewhat writing this in my head for about a week now, and so I figured I best go ahead and write it out now....or try to write it out....before the moment passes me by and my thoughts and feelings are fleeting.


So 2011.

When trying to sum up the year in a few words/phrases/sentences (ok, ok...paragraphs- you know me too well)....I guess I would definitely have to say it's been a great year.  We are abundantly blessed beyond what we deserve.

But it also can't go without saying that it's been a hard year.  And in a way- glad it's over.  ;)  I don't wish to wish the time away- this {very} short time that my girls are little.  But I can't lie and say that I'm not counting the days that I am out of my contract either.  ;)  And I'm pretty sure Geoff is, too!

2011 brought me a new job in a new career.  Something that I had been working toward for a few years prior- because I felt it was what God had called me to do.  And again- last year- when every ounce of my mother's heart and soul did not want to return to work- I again felt God's hand leading me just that way.

And so here I am....1 year into working, and we survived.  God know's best and I am thankful when He gives me peace, comfort, and strength when I need it most.

But in other news of 2011....Grace learned to walk (yes- that was this year- even though it seems like she has always walked).  Grace turned one. Parker turned four {still getting used to this}. And umm....basically the rest was just survival- adjusting to our mostly opposing schedules.  Finding our new normal.


So for 2012.  I am looking forward to a new year.  A new year with new joys and new challenges.  We are settling in to our new 'normal'.  It just took a little longer than I thought.  ;)


When I began reflecting on this past year about a week ago.....and looking forward into the new year.....with new goals.....new resolutions.  I came up with one.  And I can't really put my finger on one particular sentence.....but it is definitely one main idea:

• To slow down.  Give myself a break.  Don't expect to accomplish so much in such little time.  Realize that I can no longer do as much as I did when I stayed home (and really- if I stayed home, I may get more of the things I 'want' to accomplish done....but my list would just be longer).  Don't let this one. life. pass me by trying to do all of this 'stuff'.  

And so today as I was getting ready to put 'pen to paper'....the story of Jesus, Mary and Martha popped into my head and so I thought I'd share......

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:38-42).




It seems easy enough.....to just slow down.... to get rid of the distractions.....but it has still been sort of a struggle when I come up with an idea in my head of something I want to do....then think about it for a bit- only to then step back and say 'no, that's too much for right now.'  


I want to 'do it all'....but just can't.  It's impossible.  


And I am already happier- more at peace- just admitting it.  Putting it in writing.  


And just working at living this one life we've been given.


******


Happy New Year ya'll!

From my phone.

I haven't taken the time to sit down and post our pictures from the phone, but as I've said many times- these are some of my favorites and I don't want to forget them.  These are from the past 2 weeks {not as many as you'd think ;) }

*****

Geoff sent me this text one day at work....

Here are the actual pictures posted to be visible...

I have had the opportunity to work day shift for the past 2 weeks and I have loved it.  {not the work part} but the DAY part.  ;)  It's allowed me to start getting these fun texts where I can see what my girls are doing while I'm gone.

******

I got this picture one night from Geoff in a text saying "We love you..."

****

Before brushing teeth....Geoff was able to get Grace's hair in an actual pony tail...that's not on the top of her head.

She liked it.  ;)

*****

I had seen these knit/socks/slippers at Target and thought they were so cute, but ended up not getting them.  I mentioned them to Geoff...and so one day that I was working, he took the girls and got them for me.



They look pretty cute on Parker, but not on me.  I was hoping they would go over sweats.  Don't know what I was thinking. 

*****

More pictures from Geoff while playing at the park...

******

After Santa came.....

************

Crazy hair....

******
Love these!  Also sent to me by Geoff....

Grace still has a hard time moving in her car.  But I think they've got this worked out!

*******

Special treat from Sprinkles.....

______

Geoff stayed home sick most of the week.  The day I was off- I decided to try out PW's chicken soup.  We had nothing for it, so the girls and I went to Tom Thumb.  We went down the chip aisle to get some chips for me to take to work on New Year's.....and Parker hopped out of the cart so fast and grabbed these....

I do not normally buy the things that the girls pick up because it's usually junk and we don't need it.  But for whatever reason- I didn't mind these.  These are probably my all-time favorite chip, but rarely get them.  When I was little- and the few times we were allowed to buy a small bag of chips at the gas station- I usually picked these.  And so I kind of love that Parker loves them, too.

And I think Grace likes them now, too.

{I cannot confirm, nor deny, that this whole bag was eaten by me and my girls within one hour of getting home.}