End of the Year Blog- 2011 -

2011 was like riding a wave of uncertainty all year. I was happy, I was sad, I was happy, I was sad, it was good, it was bad... I hate stuff like that... although it's better than the alternative, which is all bad/sad... no good/glad! lol. I guess most years are both but for some reason this year felt WEIRDLY out of sync that way for me. I didn't blog a whole lot. But I'm definitely going to do that more this next year... I like it. It's kind of like having a diary for myself and my family... plus I have always been better at writing what I feel rather than saying it. AND I have found this totally NEAT-O site called pintrest.com and there is ALL kinds of things to try. Perfect excuse to try stuff so I have something to blog about!!!

So... Not so Good Stuff: I'll start out with this so we can end on a high note.

Mom had a series of mini-strokes and some other health issues that scared me badly and made me realize how fragile life is.

I had some health issues that I wasn't too "jazzed" about... of course, who is "jazzed" when they have health issues.

Sophie, my small and youngest weiner dog hurt her back very badly. She was paralyzed and she didn't make it. (Am I bumming you out yet... b/c I'm starting to bum myself out) DANG. Almost done with the bad... I promise.

Pat and I decided to close the store front of our store. We haven't decided yet if we are going to continue selling online or making kits, or having crops and classes... in fact we are getting together tomorrow to talk about it. It was a hard decision made harder by the fact that we loved the people and the scrapbook business. The last two years were two of the greatest and hardest I've had... hard work... awesome people and enviroment.

So... Good Stuff...

Kirsten turned 15 this year, which was a good thing. She shines brightly for us... as I'm sure everyone's child does for them. Highlights for Kirsten... she sang a solo AND a duet at pop show last year and we thought she was "da Bomb" She finished the school year in the top 5% of her class... showing that maybe we were right when we thought she was a genius because she could tell you her colors at age 3! (LOL... really what it shows is that she doesn't take after either Mark or myself!) This summer she went to Sky Ranch for the third summer and LOVED it. She is on the Praise Team at First Baptist Church, which is like a Christian band... and she has so much fun doing that. She made Region this year and sounded wonderful... fed a giraffe, ate a ton of nutella and wheat thins, and has some sort of weird love for all things Spiderman.

Mark got a nice promotion at work this year and will start days soon! YEA! He still loves to ride his bike, pound on the drums (I'm not sure if I should put this in the bad or good pile) lol and play his bass. Plus, I still pretty much think he's "da Bomb" (which is a good thing after 16 years)

My mom's slowly recovering and getting most of her memory back. YEA!!! My health scare didn't turn out to be as serious as we thought!!! YEA!

About 6 months after Sophie died we adopted a little (half weiner dog) from the HSPCA... her name is Abby... or Lulu... Or Dingo. Everyone calls her something different... it's no wonder she's not to bright... but she is oh so sweet!

I got to go on TWO scrapbook retreats this year, which has to be some of the best time I've ever spent on myself. I have some AWESOME friends that I'll cherish forever and that I don't see as much as I'd like, BUT I do get to spend some weekends with them when we do retreats!

We had a wonderful time with the Bryants dying Easter eggs and having Easter dinner! I joined a sorority and have had a great time getting to know my "sistas", I went all out this year and went as a house for Halloween. (The house from UP) Had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family I don't see as much as I wish I did and an AWESOME Christmas. This Christmas was particularly good, with great family and a totally relaxing holiday. I can't say I'm not ready to see 2011 go... b/c I'm very excited for 2012!!

Happy New Years Everyone... I will write soon!

Freshman Year

Kirsten's Freshman year has come and gone. How is it possible that I have a child in high school???? Or that the child in question just FINISHED her first year???

This was the first year of high school. I had prepared myself. This is when all the bad things could start to happen. Be prepared. Don't freak out. Pray Pray Pray. Talk to her. Try not to let the little things bother you. Be strict, but not too strict. Believe in what she says, but don't be a fool. Get her involved. Be involved. Don't be too involved. Be there for her. Don't smother her. Gravy, I needed anti-anxiety pills before school even started!!!!

She floored me. That shy sweet child that would make me walk her into elementary school every year showed no signs of inner struggle when walking into the doors of the high school. She was EXCITED. ( I mean, I'm sure she was nervous... but for some reason she didn't want me to walk her to her first class! =P) Kirsten's biggest complaint about High School.... she doesn't like the food... and she refuses to take her lunch. (I'm not sure if it's an uncool factor or that she just hates to bring something extra to school each day) Nonetheless... I figured it went under the category of... Not MY problem. And let's face it, at the end of the day if that's your biggest issue you're doing alright for yourself. I watched... holding my breath all year to see how she would handle all the firsts AND if she would be able to solve any problems for herself. I finally am exhaling (until school starts next year) she made me so proud I couldn't stand it. She danced in Stars, Sang in Choir, performed services in the Key Club, was in the Christian Student Union and above all else... made Straight A's all year. I couldn't believe this self assured, dependable young lady was mine. (Where did she get it???? ) lol

I have to brag on this child. I know next year, she could stumble or fall. I know that in a teens world things change on a day to day basis. But, I'm relishing in this year alone. This year was great. This year me realize how grown up my little girl was becoming... and although it's sad to see that she doesn't need her mommy to help her make all her decisions, it amazed me to see that we could talk about things, and she could make her own decisions (that for now) were awesome!

(By the way... I know that after writing this very inspiring description of my child that she will now dye her hair blue, get a nose ring and fail the 10th grade. ) Hey... but 9th grade was Awesome Ya'll!!!

Now, here's hoping for an awesome summer!!!!