End of the Year Thoughts

I really had all these profound thoughts in my head that I wanted to share for my end of the year post.
To bad I can't remember any of them...your loss really. ;)

Some things I want to remember about this year:
We had record snow fall in February. We referred to it lovingly as The Great Blizzard of Oz. I haven't seen that much snow perhaps ever. Of course we spent most of the snow days inside since both kids got the flu. I did really enjoy all the snuggling despite their yuckies.

Getting to lead worship and be part of our Celebrate Recovery ministry.

I took on P365 this year and succeeded...mostly. I didn't capture a picture every single day, but I did capture our lives in the day to day. I am just a few weeks {5 behind in immortalizing in digi scrap fashion.}

April 28th, 2013 my baby girl asked Jesus into her heart. This was a day we prayed for and we couldn't be more thrilled for her to reach this milestone. This means more to me and her dad than walking and talking milestones.

 Not only did we have record snow totals, but this was the year for close tornado calls for our town. Way too close.

Leighton's first "school" experience at VBS. Oh my, this was just a dress rehearsal for next year when I drop her off daily for Kindergarten. 

Then of course my parent's moving closer; which has been so nice. The moving part we would all like to forget though.

Our road trip to Iowa.

Our mini "vacay" to Table Rock Lake. Where Lo learned to water ski.

Leighton learning to ride her bike sans training wheels!!

Getting a job as a gymnastic coach for the Y! {Dream job}

Resigning from my RD consulting job.

My sis and I completing our first 5k! Here's to more this spring! {right MEG!!!}

Watching my baby sister graduate COLLEGE!

And some things I would love to forget like making the excruciating decision to put my beloved dog Toby down.
Pt1
Pt2

And then bringing Thatcher Beau Jangles into our home. Man has having a puppy been a crazy ride. But life with out Thatchy would be boring, and my stuff wouldn't have bite marks on it--but we wouldn't trade him for the world.

The end of the year always brings people back to reflection.
Reflection on things they want to change and improve on.
I find the idea of resolutions daunting. It always seems like an impossible mountain to climb. I need goals that are small and tangible.
This past year had some rough patches for me. I have been battling hormonal, crazy, depressive mood swings for far to long. I thought I was always stronger than the moods and could control them on my own. This year I lost that battle when I went in to my doc for a routine check-up on something or other and broke down into uncontrollable tears. My doc has known for 3 years I needed help, but never pushed me, just gently nudged and prodded. This time he intervened. I got meds. Let me say it again because it is liberating. I.got.meds. What was I so afraid of...oh yeah, judgement, realization that I was a failure at controlling my life and emotions, but man once they kicked in I realized for the first time in I don't know how long my mind was clear. And all my fears didn't matter.

I tell you all that not as a commercial for meds, but because with a clear mind I was able to make real change in my life. I was able to freely offer grace to others when they hurt me vs. lashing out. I was able to speak softer to my kids vs. shouting commands. I was able to see and appreciate my life more. I could see that I desired my life and attitude to reflect that of  Christ and it comes easier {not always} when you don't feel like a raging hurricane inside.

That is what I want to expound upon this year WITH my family. Together I want us all to work towards improving our relationships with one another and with Christ. I want to keep offering grace and forgiveness even when it is hard and when I feel like I don't get the same sentiment in return. My reward is not here on Earth, but in Heaven.

And I want my family to learn to work together as a team to keep this house running. {Isn't that kind of me to make a resolution for my family. ;) }. I am learning to accept the personalities of each person in this family and willing to meet them where they are so we can all be happy. Mostly so mommy is happy because let's face it...if momma isn't happy, nobody's happy.

And of course it's always good to strive for...

Year In Review {2011

Looking back this year has flown by, but living it, it felt really long. Seems like so much has happened this year and I am ready to see what 2012 has in store for us.

{January}
Micah Wyatt was born 4 weeks early, but perfect. Can it really have been a whole year ago already? As I sit here thinking about how I was suffering from constant contractions this time last year and thought that child would never get out. HA!
It's a Baby Story {pt1, pt2, pt3, and pt4}



{February}
Leighton turns 2.

Take family pictures.

Other than settling in with our new normal not too much happened, you know other than listing our house on the MLS!! Nothing like having a newborn and a toddler and trying to keep your home in magazine perfection.

{March}
My sister came home for a visit and to meet Micah Bear.


Micah had a sonogram of his tummy to rule out pyloric stenosis. Looking for causes of his chronic reflux.


{April}
Went to see Sesame Street Live as a special Lo Lo sister only date. It was so fun we will probably go again. :) It really was fun to see the joy on her face when she saw Elmo live and in living color.

{May}
Here is where things start to get nuts. After nearly 8-10weeks on the market our house gets a contract. The new owner wants us out by the end of May. Giving us two weeks. Thankfully, our awesome realtor negotiated middle of June. Let the chaos of packing, moving and did I mention looking for a home for ourselves panic set in...


Once again thanks to our awesome realtor {and GOD} we found the perfect home in the nick of time!

We also dedicated Micah Bear to God.


Micah had a visit to the pediatric surgeon to discuss possible fundoplication surgery due to slow weight gain and chronic reflux/spitting up. No other treatments have worked at this point. Surgery is not a option at this point per the surgeon. So we wait and try more things.

Lo Lo sister finally decided the crib was for babies and moved on up. Once again in the nick of time.

{June}
MOVED

My new nephew Hollis was born!

{July}
Getting settled in our new home.

Told some our dear friends good-bye as the moved back "home."

Lo got her first hair cut. Very exciting. ;)


Micah is still not improving after being switched to prevacid. We are then referred to a pediatric gastroenterologist who finally convinces me to go off all dairy and soy. She strongly feels this is completely allergy related. Thus beginning my dairy free diet. However, I wanted a blood test to confirm this even though I saw some results from my new diet. Blood test came back negative for dairy allergy. Continued on dairy free, but pretty much back to square one.

{August}
Back to school time for daddy. Settling into a new fall routine.


{September}
My sister and her family come to visit.

Went to the State Fair.


Micah is doing worse. He hasn't gained more than 8z since May! He is starting to look very thin. I break down and take him back to the pediatric gastroenterologist. She immediately schedules a EGD scope "surgery," my baby was placed under anesthesia. Very hard day for mommy! We are then referred back to the pediatric surgeon who decides our only other recourse is the fundoplication surgery.


{October}
Re-unite with our college friends who moved back from Texas.


Mommy turns 29. :(

Micah has his fundoplication surgery on Oct 21st.

{November}
Micah has turned the corner and is gaining and thriving! As a result mommy weans MW.


{December}
We all get the Great Flu of 2011 just in time for daddy's 31st birthday. Awesome fun had by all.

Micah finally sleeps through the night!!!!!

Celebrate Christmas


I don't even really know how to sum up a year that seemed to be filled with so many up and downs. I can say that memories were made and you would never trade those in. So I lift my "red solo cup" :) up to 2011. Cheers! May 2012 be filled with as many memories.

A belated year and decade review

Wow. I can not believe another year has come and gone. It went by so fast, I seriously feel like I just finished up my internship and was desperately waiting for Leighton to make her debut! Now she is approaching 11 months.

My life is looks so different today then it did 10 years ago. I never could have imagined how my life would have turned out. Because it looks NOTHING like I imagined. Good thing we are not the ones orchestrating our lives because I am sure I would have never been able to bless myself this much!

(Phil. 1:6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.)

10 years ago I was just a junior in high school. With the world at my fingertips. Now 10 years later I have married, graduated college, became a homeowner, became a Registered Dietitian, a mom, and I am now enjoying the best job I never knew I always wanted...being a stay-at-home mom.

six weeks old

6 weeks from BEING 1 year...CRAZY!!

This past year has brought me closer to God. Learning to trust in Him to provide and meet our needs as we are a one income family. I have truly been amazed how God has provided for us over and over (even in the smallest of ways!)

I can not wait to see what the next year (and even decade) brings our family!

Hope everyone's new year is off to a great start! I know mine is.