My Year in Review

In celebration of the holiday season and as 2012 comes to a close, it's great to reflect on the past year and be thankful for all that we have been blessed with. I can't tell you enough how grateful I am that my family has been healthy all year and the babies are growing at an alarming rate! I already cherish the rare moments when my children fall asleep in my arms.

My new year resolution was to start this blog. I haven't written weekly like I had hoped (Whoops!), but I have at least written throughout the year. I needed a place to share my thoughts and fun, child-rearing stories. But the babies are still too young and needy for me to devote that kind of time to writing every week. I take notes here and there for future blogs, so maybe 2013 will be the year for Life: Blessed & Crazy?! As a side hobby, I took to ebay as well. That has been a lot of fun and a huge learning experience. From ballet slippers to RV camping supplies, I've been selling quite nicely and made enough to pay our way through a wedding as the MOH, Flower Girl and Ring Bearer. After taking inventory of my storage and closets, I have plenty to sell but need plenty of time to get it all listed. Another "maybe next year" task...

My husband has been wonderful. He patrols his City to the best of his abilities and takes great care of his family. He works hard and enjoys the rewards of time spent wrestling with the kids, smothering them with hugs and kisses, telling stories, snuggling on cold nights and being a big ol' softy! I love when he's so exhausted from working but still comes downstairs to sleep on the couch while the kids bounce all over him. He just needs to be near them and dream of their giggles.

It's been a year of many more firsts for my daughter. She started a new K-4 program in September, which is Preschool for 4 year olds. She loves it! She can write her own name and recites the Pledge of Allegiance on cue. She knows her vowels and teaches her baby brother how to pronounce big words by syllable, like "Ra-pun-zel." It's really too cute. She's gotten into the homework routine also. I was surprised to see that preschoolers get homework, but she knocks her assignments out of the park. She easily makes me a proud mama!

My son turned 2 over the summer. He is the typical boy in every sense of the word. He is proud of his boogies, farts, poops and mealtime messes. He will wake you up with a bop on the nose followed by hysterical laughter. His favorite toys are dinosaurs, cars and animals. He loves his sister, even when he's tormenting her. He's full of kisses for you...if you tell him NOT to do it. My boy is very contrary like that. He goes with me every day to take his sister to school and can't wait to go himself. Eager to learn. Eager to play. Eager to eat!

This summer was a blast. The kids and I went on a 4 day mini-vacay with my dad, drove up the coast to San Francisco and had lots of fun stops in between. Dad is retired and enjoyed the open road with his grandkids more than words can say. My family of four spent some time in Pismo Beach having some fun in the sun. If you haven't been there, I recommend it for some quiet R&R. 'Twas the middle of August and the beaches were empty! Perfect for us! Over the Thanksgiving holiday we went to Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico to visit friends and family.The comforts of 6 Cracker Barrel Restaurants eased the pain of fast food on the road. My kids were amazing in the car! Our trip spanned over 3,000 miles and I think they cried across 3 of them.

As you can see, we really have so much to be thankful for. We have been blessed with another great year, healthy children, the ability to travel and enjoy life, and a wonderful network of family and friends that support us through thick and thin. I've learned a lot in 2012 and I always appreciate the strong lessons that life teaches me. I am forever grateful to you for being my friend and just for being YOU in my life. Merry Christmas and countless blessings to you and your loved ones into the New Year. Mahalo.