I was very excited about 2011, I knew it would be a big year. I just had this feeling in the pit of my stomach that 2011 was going to be huge. I can honestly say that I am thankful for 2011 but I am kind of happy to see it ending.
Funny how we judge everything in time frames. I think it helps us cope with the world. Gives us something to look forward to and in some ways to close a chapter of our lives that we want to move on from.
I am closing 2011 and I am going to welcome 2012 with open arms and a open heart.
Right now I am still walking in the battles of 2011 which seem to over shadow the whole year. It's harder to sit down and write out exactly what amazing things have happened in 2011. Which means it was super important to do that. I had to find the wonderful parts of 2011.
Then I started thinking and thinking and so many things popped out at me.
2011....
I went on 2 vacations this year! Saw my wonderful family in both Nevada and Arkansas. Both vacations included my wonderful younger sister Holly. I love my siblings and any chance I get with them is always wonderful. My sister Holly and I so close in life because we are so very much alike. I don't have to explain my thinking to her. She just knows usually because it's the way she's thinking. Or she's been there. Or she's going through it at the same time as me. We are so much alike and that in it's self is a gift.
I also got to spend time with my younger brother and sister Becca and Jonah they've grown so much. I've missed out on a lot of their lives and I will forever be sad about that. However seeing them grown. Talking to them. I am so very proud of them. I am so blessed to be their eldest sister. God was great giving me this family.
Spending time with other mom and my dad and Grandma Barbara was wonderful too. I always come back with so much love and knowledge in my heart from spending time with my other mom. She's one of my biggest role models in life. I only hope that some day I can be a little bit more like her. I am still like a child around her. I am always amazed at everything she does. The love she has for us. Melts my heart.
The bummer was I missed seeing my sister Samantha this trip. She's off being a married women living her own life. I am so proud of her. She also is giving me the best gift ever. A new niece or nephew in 2012... Yay! I love being an auntie!
In Nevada my sister and I were very busy running around spending time with grandparents, aunts, uncles cousins. We never slowed down. We were shown so much love in the time we were there. Memories that I will hold in my heart forever! I can't wait until we get to do that again!
My friends have continued to be the most amazing people ever. Supportive and loving. I have gotten to watch my friend Jamie's son grow from an infant to a toddler in one year. I have gotten to hold him and love him. I am so thankful to be a part of his life.
A whole year of memories of beach trips, lunches. walks.. Sunday afternoon knitting sessions. Heart to heart talks. Plus the talks that leave you in tears while you've been laughing so hard. That's what I remember about 2011 with my group of friends... Thank you! Megan, you are my rock a lot of the times. You always know how to make me laugh when I want to cry. 2011 has just made that stronger... I love ya!
I also this year anxiously awaited the arrival of a friend that made her way into my heart in the course of a year. Snail mail.. Snail mail gave me the gift of a friend that now I can't even picture living my life with out. Pen pals really do connect people in a whole other way. I feel that you really get to know someone in letters. I will always openly admit that I would not have this friend if it weren't for God. God knew that I was going to need someone like her during 2011 so he spent 2010 connecting us. Helping us each grow in a new way. Now she's back and our friendship is huge. That is one of my biggest gifts of 2011... We were also blessed and born on the same day.. So not only do we get to share a super wonderful friendship we get to share a day to celebrate our lives. Cool huh? I love it.. I love her and her family that I am getting to know more and more each day!
I saw some people I love go through the loss of loved ones. Mothers, fathers, and brothers,. That broke my heart to pieces. I wasn't able to bring them the comfort I would have loved to give them. I had to watch and pray from the sidelines. Telling them how much I loved them and how much I was praying for them. My heart still aches for them and they are still in my prayers. This also reminded to make sure you tell your loved ones every day how much you love them. It's so very important!
My own family has had some hard times this year and we are all torn apart living in different situations. However we spent Christmas together and I felt that my family was on the way to healing. It was the best Christmas we've ever had. My sister Candice is happy and engaged! I will have another wonderful brother in law and a new niece to love. Jamie is happy. That's all I've ever wanted.
My parents are working on their lives and are striving to fix what is broken and are growing. I am still learning a lot from them. I am so blessed to have them in my life. They take such good care of me. They don't bat an eye when I need something. This is my hard time in life and they are behind me rooting for me. Thanks mom and dad. You guys are my world.
I could go on for hours about how many blessings 2011 has brought but I think it might get boring. So know that I see my blessings in my harder times. I am so very thankful for what 2011 and has taught me.
Alright 2012 how can you top 2011?
