2011 Was a GREAT year!

Drawing by Colin - age 6

2011 was a great year!
(yes you read that right)

*** Not-so-Subliminal prayers?  Wishful thinking?  Positive visualization?  However you want to look at it, I thought that instead of simply writing resolutions, (i.e. lose weight, exercise more - and like it, teach Colin to read, don't lose my mind during the deployment), I thought I would address some of the things I am most apprehensive about in this next year and put a positive spin on it... Can't hurt, right? ***

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When I started out the year I was gearing up for my husband's 6-month deployment to Afghanistan.  I was nervous and sad and not especially looking forward to the year, but somehow I knew that it would all turn out OK, and boy, did it!

I began writing every day, less on Facebook, and more on my blog and in personal devotion style.  I began each day seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit and found God speaking to me in ways that I would have never expected.  Probably the biggest surprise of the year was that I have been offered a contract with a publisher to get my book published!  I have also been invited to speak at several spiritual retreats, and I love encouraging women in their spiritual walk, sharing the trials as well as the joys that life brings.  I love that I am now writing professionally and sharing with other women.

My husband deployed to Afghanistan and was away from us for 6 months, but it went so quickly it felt like we had never been apart.  Though the kids and I missed him terribly, we found that we were able to chat with him via Skype and through sending care packages and such, our bonds as a family were strengthened as we remembered just how much we love each other.  The kids handled his being away with a few tears of course, but they grew in grace and hardly ever fought.   They seemed to understand that Duane being gone created more pressure, and they rose to the occasion and did their chores without complaining, helped without being asked, and at the end of the day, though we all made a few mistakes, we knew that we all did the best we could given our situation.

Caleb's health problems all went away, no more migraines, no more abdominal pains!  He has gotten a clean bill of health from all of his doctors and enjoyed a stellar baseball season as he led his team in record homeruns!  He is also getting straight A's in school and is trumpet section leader.  His love and zest for life far outweigh his teenage moodiness.

Clarissa has continued to grow in strength and beauty and had her best year ever!  She is reading difficult chapter books, writing beautiful cursive, and is athletic as ever, leading her soccer and gymnastics teams! She is learning to channel her independent spirit and self confidence in positive ways!  She has even become more adventurous in her eating and while she may not love potatoes, at least she will now try them without gagging!

Colin has fully embraced school life and is reading without any difficulty! He has remained in karate and is finding success with the discipline it brings and prides himself in attaining different level belts and patches.  He still carries a love for all things sharks and Star Wars, but realized on his own that the constant talk about them were driving his mom siblings crazy and so he saved his commentaries for his Skype sessions with his dad... which I know Duane appreciated! (!)

All three kids continue to be the light of our lives - not that that has ever changed!  They love the challenges and adventures of being a military family and repeatedly thank us for exposing them to different states, friends, and churches.

Speaking of clean bills of health, our Toyota Sienna minivan decided that 2010 was going to be the only year it gave us problems, and despite it's 165,000+ miles, it travelled without any problems whatsoever back and forth from California several times and continues to be a reliable (and paid for!) vehicle.  Not having a car payment is truly a wonderful thing, and we are so glad that it did not decide to die this year!

I learned that perfection is unattainable, that laundry is never ending and won't ever be completely done (so I'd better just do it and stop complaining!), and I stopped spending so much time on little things that don't matter. I also learned how to ask for help when I needed it, and to accept that sometimes things just don't get done.   I never put anything ahead of my relationship with God, my marriage, or my kids.  I grew in strength, both physically and spiritually.  I found time to exercise regularly and was surprised to find that I actually enjoyed it!  In fact, by the end of the year, I was in the best shape of my life!  I nurtured the friendships and relationships that needed to be nurtured and treasured each moment.

Yes, 2011 was a great year... how was yours?