Another Year Has Gone By

What a year.  I don't even really know where to start reminiscing about this past year.  By far, this has been one of the most memorable years I think I've had to date.  Our son was born, we had our 1st wedding anniversary, I started back to school for my 2nd degree... whew!  As this year is drawing to a close, I've done a lot of thinking about what my resolutions might be for this next year.  I've decided that instead of trying to change mind sets and mental things, I am aiming towards things I can physically & concretely accomplish. 


I want to do a little recap of this past year (mainly about Will.)  It seems as if my year started, heck, my life started, when Will was born.  You think as a parent you will be their teacher and guide and role model.  If anything, Will has taught me more things so far than I've done with him. (I basically just feed him and love on him)....  He has taught me more about love than I've ever known.  It's a love so great in my heart, I literally cannot compare it to anything else.  He shows me to open my eyes to things like I've never seen them before.  I've watched him experience so many firsts.  And each time, his look is of amazement and awe.  I know if I could just look at the world the way he does, it might make each day a little sweeter.  Will has taught me that it really is the simple things in life.  I could buy him all the toys in the world but all he wants is for his mama to chase him around the house and scoop him up in a hug only a child, YOUR child can give.  But flashy lights and music doesn't hurt either!!  I've learned if I could just look at myself half of the time the way he sees me all of the time, I might appreciate myself a little more.  Well now that I've made myself cry... on with my resolutions. 

1. Become a better photographer (of Will) :)
2. Join a gym & take better care of myself
3. Go on a vacay!! 
4. Enjoy working -possible??
5. Plant and maintain a garden
6. Save money better
7. Read more
8. Get a cat
9. Get Tonto ready for Will to ride when he's 3 :)
10. Go on another mission trip and get Will involved (babies are good therapy, no?)

That is what I've come up with to accomplish in 2012.  I'm sure there will be ups and downs along the way but that's why I have faith.  For when things get too hard, I just let it go to God.  Maybe that should be another resolution.  Letting God handle more of my problems instead of me trying to conquer them all.  He knows what's going to happen anyways, right?  I wish everyone peace and happiness in the new year and most of all, I wish for everyone to have love. 

See ya next year! 

Christmas fun!

This past weekend we celebrated Christmas, which was also known this year as Will's 1st Christmas.  We all had such a great time!  We started celebrating Christmas Eve night while we opened stockings.  Then we started early Christmas day exchanging gifts between the 3 of us.  (Jason got me an awesome silver necklace with a small heart on it- so sweet if I do say so!)  We then left for his parents house for breakfast and round 1 on Christmas gift exchange.  Will was only REALLY excited about a few gifts- but he sure had fun with the bows and torn off paper! 

We headed home for a quick nap and re-grouping before heading to my grandmother's house for lunch (really an afternoon meal) and round 2 of exchanging gifts.  My aunt did it up right and didn't even wrap Will's gift.  It was a large John Deere dump truck so wrapping would have been a bit much.  Will helped everyone unwrap their gifts and pretty much stole the show.  He is quite the little ham! 

We left her house full of food and laughter, headed home, and crashed!  We were all pretty exhausted but I think Will had the most fun!  We got up the next morning and headed to my mom's house for round 3 of gift exchange and breakfast.  My sister-in-law and I "helped" fix breakfast while the boys sat back and chatted. My mom always has a way of giving us our gifts that adds a bit of a challenge and fun.  This year she wrapped all of our gifts, left them unmarked and put them in a large box.  We had to go through the box feeling up the gifts trying to figure out which gift went with what.  The key was- all 4 of us had a gift to open that matched everyone else.  For example:  Whit and I had body wash while Justin (my brother) and Jason had bars of soap!  It was fun times for sure.  Will enjoyed playing in the box lid on the side :) 

Alex, Whitney & Gail

 mimosa & bloody mary to your left!

silly stinker boo!

Round 4 was at my dad's house Monday evening where we enjoyed homemade tortellini and bread!

We had a small gift exchange with him and then we called it quits on Christmas 2011!  We thoroughly enjoyed spending Will's 1st Christmas with our families but enjoyed coming home to relax as a small family even more.  I am sad to see the holidays gone but can muster through because next on my agenda- planning Will's 1st birthday... which I am using pinterest to help design.  Homemade crafts are in my future, time to get the hot glue gun going! 

 

Random Acts of Kindness

After being so long without a home computer, I got slightly behind on reading some blogs that I religiously enjoy.  One post that I missed (but so thankfully got to catch up on) really inspires me.  I encourage everyone to read this post.  It takes so little for us to do something so selfless but how many times do we actually do this.  This post is about a young woman's birthday but instead of celebrating it for herself as I know I like to sooo many times, she celebrated by doing random acts of kindness.  And there really is no greater joy than doing something for someone else. Again, I encourage anyone who might see my page to check her post <---  out.

This morning started out great!  Not only was it the real first day that I did not have a single deadline, but Jason stayed home a little longer and we had breakfast together as a family.  See, it really is the simple things :)  After he left for work, Will and I started/finished some Christmas presents.  My sister-in-law and I are being semi- crafty this year and are attempting to make a few presents ourselves.  I finished a few of those projects we have been working on this week.  Then, Will and I left to run our errands.  We had a big list to get today.  We didn't quite finish everything on our list, but there's always the weekend.  We did, however, get so many gifts bought for our family. On my way home I was so excited but then I remembered it wouldn't be until next weekend when we could give them.   We also managed to get a visit in to my grandmother.  We had a really nice visit with her and she loves seeing Will.  I have to mention my grandmother may be 80 pounds soaking wet so she can't pick up Will or get around with him very well.  So any time that I can spend with her while he is in a fun mood really does us both some good.  She can always hold him while he's having a drink ;) and a still moment.  Will and I went out and watched the horses for a bit before we left. 

After I finally got home and burnt our supper :) :)  I was feeling a little overwhelmed about a few certain things going on.  Luckily, Jason stepped in and I stole a few quiet minutes away.  Don't get me wrong, I love the hustle and bustle of our lives but a few  minutes of silence does a person some good. 

Going to bed soon and again, attempting to keep Will in his bedroom tonight!