Reflecting...

Today I decided to do some major reflecting on 2011. I seem to do this every year and it's actually kind of nice, kind of free-ing. :) Tomorrow, the 31st, the last day of December and the last day of the year, I will do my resolution post, the things I'm planning for 2012.

2011 was a rollercoaster ride of a year!!! :) We started the year off finding out on January 7th, that we were in fact going to have a baby girl!!! What a wonderful way to ring in the New Year! :) Later that month, I turned the big 2-6! Just that much closer to 30! Ugh. In February, I took Justin to the indoor shooting range for his birthday as a surprise. He was definitely surprised and we sure did have a lot of fun. :) March brought great sadness, with the 3rd anniversary of my mother's death, but ended with a celebration of our baby girl with my baby shower on the 20th. April Justin and I celebrated 5 years of being together and in May our lives changed forever with Griffyn making her appearance on the 17th, my aunt's birthday and 2 days before my mom's birthday! :) I feel like we have been so so busy since then! May also meant that I would no longer be working, which has been wonderful because I've been able to stay home with Griffyn and watch her grow, but it's been stressful because even though I wasn't making a whole lot at my job, it was definitely more of a chunk than we had given credit for. It's been stressful, financially, since then, but we are doing the best we can and God has always given us everything we've needed. In June, Justin went to AT for 2 weeks, Griffyn wasn't even a month old yet! July brought G's first holiday! We didn't do too much, but it was still fun to get her dressed up in her 4th of July onesie I made especially for her. :) Can't think of anything too exciting that happened in Aug, and September we got to experience the state fair with our baby girl! :) I know she had fun watching all of the people out there and we enjoy it, as always. Justin and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary! Can't believe it's been 3 years already, it feels like just yesterday! :) I love him more every single day. November we went to the USMC ball in Topeka and finished out the month with Thanksgiving! :) It's always great to get together with family and we loved watching Griffyn experience different foods. December has seemed to pass us by very quickly! Can't believe we only have a day and a half left of it! We got to go Christmas shopping and then enjoy Christmas's with both of our families. Griffyn definitely enjoyed opening gifts and being oo'd and awe'd over. :) So that pretty much sums up each month and the exciting things that happened in them. When I reflect back, it's easy to see why the year went by so quickly! In other reflections, I have grown so much in my faith, more than I even dreamed I could. I have been a lot more active in my church and church family than I ever have before, and I have to say how wonderful that feels. One night in small groups, Pastor Joel's wife Kendra, brought up the fact that maybe one of the reasons why the AD thing has taken so long is because I was supposed to be here, to be involved with my church and grow in Christ. I love that she said that because I think it couldn't be more true. Whenever we move away from here, that is something I really, really will miss. I have loved being able to sing in church, to go to church with my baby girl (even when it's just us) and participate in the small groups that I do. It's just been amazing. I'm so thankful for it. It has helped me find so much peace with my life, for sure. Another thing 2011 brought, was the headache of going active duty. We submitted paperwork for it in March. Here is a few days away from January and we still have no answers........ Justin is going to try to talk to his CO in January when he goes for drill, at this point that's really the only option we have left. We, unfortunately, can't make them do their jobs, and that is so unbelievably frustrating..... Let's hope that the CO will do something about it. So, on that front, we are still waiting......................... 2011 has also brought to me the biggest weight loss I've ever had or could even imagine having! At this point, I am down 74 lbs. That still feels unreal to even be able to type. I can't believe how far I've come. I'm really proud of all the progress I've made so far and look forward to how much more will be gone in 2012!
In 2011, we've had our ups and we've had our downs. Thankfully the good has completely surpassed the negative. I am so thankful for all I've been given and blessed with. All the people in my life are more than I could've ever hoped for. I truly am unbelievably blessed with the life we have. It definitely has not always been easy, but who's has? It's just a matter of 'what' each of us are dealt, and how we deal with it. Justin and I have been through hell in the last 5 years. We've had so many things happen and so many things we've had to deal with, that some people never have to go through, let alone all in just a few years. We are thankful to have each other. That we had each other to lean on when times got tough, that we had each other to be strong for the other when we needed it. I can't imagine going through everything we've gone through, with anyone but him. He's my rock, he's my everything and I definitely wouldn't be as well off emotionally, without him in my life. I thank God for all the trials and tribulations we did have to withstand because we are stronger than ever. We are more in love than ever (and that's saying something!! lol) I love my husband and I couldn't imagine my life without him. He completes me and he makes my life a million times better just by being in it. I am very thankful for the relationship that we have. He helps me, he holds me, he loves me (no matter what!) he has always been there for me, he's the greatest father in the world to G, he makes me laugh, we are the same couple behind closed doors as we are in front of people and I think I cherish that the most. We have a wonderful relationship, we don't have to put on a show for people, we just are who we are. Best of all, he's my best friend. I feel like we can talk about anything (and believe me, we do) and we have so many things that only each other knows, and makes us feel that much closer. I am so so thankful for him. I am also thankful that he gave me the most precious, beautiful baby girl. She's our little miracle, for sure. We are so blessed to have her. Every single day it gets better and better. My heart swells with so much pride in her. I love just watching her grow and learn and explore, EVERYTHING! :) It makes me so happy and proud. I am definitely looking forward to 2012 and all that she will learn, do and accomplish! Even though it makes me sad she's growing up so quick, I look forward to all that we will get to do together, all that we will get to show her and teach her. I just can't believe we're only a few months away from her 1st birthday!!! Oh my goodness, I can't say anymore about that, I already have tears in my eyes.
All in all, 2011 has been a wonderful year. By far the best part being, the birth of our baby girl. I am thankful she is here, that she is so happy and so healthy. She brings so much joy to our lives. I hope you all have enjoyed your year! Can't believe it's closing VERY quickly! Tomorrow I will do my "resolutions" and things I'm just looking forward to in 2012! Happy Friday all!! :)
1. I am thankful for another year I got to enjoy this wonderful life I live everyday.
2. I am thankful for all of the inspirational people God has placed in my life.
3. I am thankful that we are so incredibly blessed with our little family. "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all!!"
Love