Ode to 2011

2011.

That was... quite a year.  Not overly eventful, which is the way I like it, but instead full of firsts and lasts.

From start to finish, Jim and his family built a home for his grandparents.

Bree had her first dentist visit.

We mostly built a new shed and began kitchen renovations.

Jacob had his first almost broken arm.

Jim and I went on a much needed vacation for the first time in 3 years.

I finally got to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra for the first time and I was only six rows back from the stage.  If you're gonna see 'em, ya gotta get up close and personal.  Its the only way.  So if you're ever considering going to a concert of theirs, pay the extra money and get as close as you can.  you won't be disappointed. 

2011 also brought the first anniversary of Dad passing.  That was tough.  Kinda had an "Okay God, you've had him long enough.  Its time to give him back" moment.

It also brought the first time Dad's birthday came around without him here.  I'll remember that day for the rest of my life.  Jim and I were scheduled to have our taxes done out of town so his dad came over to watch the kids for us.  And that night, my dear readers, was the first night Jacob slept the whole night through.  I like to think that was my dad's birthday gift to us.  The gift of sleep.  Thanks Dad.

And speaking of Jacob...

Its hard to believe that just a year ago Jacob was only 9 months old.  Still getting up once or twice a night.  Still taking formula bottles.  Just starting stage 3 foods.  Crawling away. 

And now here we are.

Delightfully, wonderfully sleeping through the night (except for tonight 'cause he's got an awful cough and stuffy nose), working on drinking successfully from a cup, eating everything in sight, and running, running, running through the house.

Bree's made amazing strides this year too.  Started preschool, zips her own coat, zips and snaps up her jeans, buckles herself into her car seat and can unbuckle it too.  She can write her own name and just today learned how to spell and write "Mom" and "Bob" (as in Uncle Bob, not just some random letters she put together that actually spelled a word).

Gosh. 

With as independent as the kids are becoming you'd think I'd have more free time in my life.  But as any parents of young ones know that that is so Not. True.

Yes they are more independent.

Yes they can help "cook" their lunches.

Yes they can help clean up their own messes. 

But now we are entering the 'plotting and planning of what kind of trouble can we get into together' phase and the definite need for personal bubbles and play spaces. 

Maybe Santa needs to bring me earplugs next year.

I digress.

So 2011 has come to a close.  It was spent with family and friends the way its meant to be.  Although I haven't fully decided what my hopes and dreams and ambitions are for 2012, you better believe it will filled with those "somedays" we're always talking about, being a better role model for my children and practicing what I preach.

Goodbye 2011, I will dwell on you no longer (okay maybe a little longer as I have about 10-ish posts to catch up on this week).  May every morning of 2012 bring you as much rejuvination and motivation to reach your goals as today has.

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right."

     - Oprah Winfrey