Year End Musings

As 2007 comes to a close, everyone around the world is doing their reflective thinking. And why should I be any different? It's been quite the year for us, one that will remain in memory for a long time to come.

Let's see, what were our biggies?

*Ariana starting off the year with the flu. "Daddy, why I exploded?"
*The slow thaw of winter (always sucky)
*Another year passes me by and I'm one step further into my 30's in Feb.
*Dress shopping with my sister-in-law for her wedding gown, it was quite the fun day.
*A tumble down the stairs for Phoenix, who thankfully knows how to fall and not get too seriously hurt.
*A birthday girl turns 4 years old and her favorite gift is a remote control spider.
*Phoenix turns one year old.
*We participated in the 3rd Annual Preeclampsia Foundation walk-a-thon, raising over $1300 thanks to our family & friends!
*Lots of camping
*A trip or two to the zoo
*Remembering the losses that have touched our hearts, recently and those in years past.
*Another crisp day picking apples and eating them to our hearts content while in the orchard.
*Another fishing and hunting season closes with my husband safe and happy.
*The Packers are having a great season, which warms my husbands heart. He even gets to go to two games this year.
*Gathering family together over the holidays. Being thankful for those we have around us.
*Ending the year with sickness, both kids have the yuckies. (is this going to be a theme?)

What I've learned this year:

*I'm much stronger than I ever imagined.
*Time goes much faster with two children.
*I love my husband more than ever before. His support and encouragement are such a wonderful thing to have. His arms were made for me.
*My heart can heal after breaking.
*It's okay to speak your mind, as long as you are respectful to others.
*While I have this insane need to juggle a billion things, I begin to break down under the stress after a while.
*Letting go of expectations. Expectation of myself and others.
*Real friends are with you anytime you need them, never judging or telling you what to do. They listen and offer their shoulder to lean on.
*I struggle internally when I work with people who don't like to plan.
*My children are my saving grace, allowing me to love and be loved in return with no limitations.
*Laughter is still the best medicine, and I treasure the moments that end in laughter. Especially the belly ache and tears down your face kind of laughing.
*Writing is theraputic for me, and I'm thankful that I started blogging, which has continued to broaden my horizons and allowed me to meet some pretty cool people.

So, how's that? I'm keeping my fingers crossed that 2008 will be a banner year.