Happy New Year!!!

I haven't blogged in a LONG time, I know... here it goes!

Happy New Year!  This morning I was just looking back on 2012 thinking of all the ways I was blessed, the times I overcame something, and the greatest memories.  I think it's important to look back and realize the good things that have happened.  I've learned a lot about myself in the past year and have never been happier in my life.  I'm just going to bullet the things that come to mind,  keep it random of course, and I'm sure I will miss a TON of things but this is what currently sticks out:

• Began 2012 by taking my family snow skiing for the first time.  All 3 kids learned to ski and we had a blast!
• Have NEW friends that have taught me a lot about myself.  They have challenged me to be a better person, lift me up, and encourage me! Most importantly they love me for ME!
• I learned a lot about forgiving others even if they don't know they've hurt me or never said sorry
• I did a lot of sitting and watching.  Watching my kids Smile, watching my kids Dance, watching my kids Laugh, watching my kids Pray, watching my kids Sleep....and just loving those 3 blessings.
• I made a huge change in my life this year.  I no longer work Full Time.  I never ever in my life knew how much of a blessing this was going to be -- I - love - every - second - of - it!
• We played at the LAKE!....a LOT!  It was wonderful.  We bought a boat and enjoyed it more than ever with our family.  One of the memories that stands out of watching my kids smile. :)
• Madi learned to read really well in 2012.  She's a smart lil girl and we are VERY proud of her.
• Jaxen moved to the 4th grade.  He seems so "Big" now...he even has a locker at school.  He is funny, ALL boy, and I am proud of him.
• Kate is with me most of the time and man is she awesome!  She brings me much joy and happiness.  NEVER a dull moment with Kate around.  Love her!
• We bought the land behind our house, & remodeled the barn.  Seems insignificant but it was something we've really wanted to do and are so thankful to have been able to do that.
• We spent a day at a water park at Cushing and went to White Water one day.  Two things that I recall my kids enjoying beyond measure!
• We had movie nights at home.  Took the kids to get whatever junk food they wanted and ate junk and watched movies in the living room - LOVE my family time!
• I shuffled kids...I ran the "Bus Route" as I call it.  I don't mind, I've never been able to be the mom that can take her kids to all their activities without making a million arrangements.  Now I have the flexibility to do that and I'm happy to do so!
• We took our family to Church almost every time the doors were open.  We are practicing Faith at Home and hope we are doing all we need to do to raise our kids with God #1 in their life.
• Will took on the role of being in charge of LTC.  He's doing a great job with it and I'm very proud of him for doing that and his dedication.
• We went to Red River in July.  Went on jeep trails, rode the lift, rode on go-carts, playing frisbee in the park, and watch a really neat 4th of July parade.  Fun family times!
• Jaxen and I did some 5K runs.
• Madi did Cheerleading at All Stars
• Jaxen was on a bowling league
• We went a OSU Football Game - homecoming
• We spent time with Family
• I helped with the 3rd Thomas 5K Run which was a huge success for our little town
• Madi was in Homecoming for Thomas Basketball
• We had picnics
• We played at the park
• We went on bike rides
• We played in the sprinklers
• Will and I went to a Thunder Game
• Jaxen played baseball and a lot of it.  He played peewees for the first time this year.  He even got to pitch some.
• We took 9 boys to the Redhawks Game for Jaxen's 9th Birthday!
• We had a super fun Dr Suess - Cat in the Hat party for the girls.
• We did puzzles
• We celebrated most every holiday as a family.
• We went to Branson with great friends. 
• We had a presidential election --- :(
• We suffered loss too.  I lost a dear friend this year.  Reminded me of how short life can be and how important it is do be there for others in their time of need.
• I worked on "random acts of kindness" - one of my goals this past year and in years ahead is just to put others before myself and be a servant.  I need to do better at this but it's an ongoing goal of mine.
• Will had a busy year with his jobs.  He does a great job as a crop adjuster and is a hard working farmer.  Love him and thankful of how hard he works for our family.

I can probably make a lot more bullet points but just a few things that came to my mind about 2012.  A blessed year, God is Good and blessed me beyond measure.  Not every day was necessarily a happy or good one but I'd rather count my blessings than my heartaches.  

2013 I have new goals and dreams.  Looking forward to seeing whats in store for us this year.

Blessings!!!!!