Out With the Old, In With the New.

Wow oh wow! 2012 will be over in a couple of days and it will officially be 2013! My 8 year anniversary in a week later. At the end of January, I will turn 31. And that doesn't include all of the other important dates in January too.
2012 was an amazing year. I learned to relax a bit. Now I will be blunt, it was with the help of Prozac. That steamed from issues I dealt with following a miscarriage in Nov of 2011.
I learned a lot about myself in dealing with that bout of depression that really hit in January. I was strong because I asked for help. Needing the Prozac did not mean I am weak. I was shown that it is okay and sometimes we need to be real with ourselves and with others.
My son really came into his own on the soccer field this year. I got to watch my daughter cheer for her first season. We realized that my son has ADHD and that was an eye opener. It broke my heart at first because of the fussing during the past 6 years. It has also shown and taught me that I have to be bit more patient and not jump so quickly. I have had to stop often and put myself in his shoes. It is something that he can really help or is he trying his hardest.
I have also learned that I want my children raised in a slower paced, simpler lifestyle. I am so grateful that I have realized at 30 and not at 65, that keeping up with the Jone's is the least important thing. And that keeping up with the Jone's is a waste and it's meaningless. You can be so much happier with what you have when you realize this. I don't care if my car isn't brand new. I am driving exactly what I want to drive. I don't care about expensive name brand clothing anymore. I STAY AT HOME! Why do I need $100 dress pants?! Now a good pair of jeans is still a different story! But not all of my jeans are that expensive anymore. My children don't have to have all their clothing purchased at trunk shows. They play in them and come home from school with holes and stains on the first wear! They can wear Target clothes! And so can I!! They don't understand the concept of money but they DO understand the concept of comfort and mommy not being upset when their new shirt is ruined.
We put our house on the market this year too. We decided it is time to move back to the country and not have a mortgage. I do not mind living in a modular or double wide if it means no mortgage! We can put sweat equity into it and get the EXACT house that we want. Our home we are in now is AMAZING. I will be very sad to leave the house we have called home for the past 6 years. I am at the same time very excited about redoing another home,moving back out to the country,let the kids grow up running the woods the way they love to do. This also means that we will be leaving the school my son has attended the past two years. He is 3rd generation at this school and we love it there. He will be transferring to a Christian based school so I am thrilled with that.
All in all, 2012 has been a great year. I have learned so much this year and as always, it has shaped me into the person I am today. The lessons learned in 2012 have been uber important life lessons this year. So I raise my coffee cup to the many blessings, opportunities, lessons, and memories that 2013 holds! Here's to you 2012, you were wonderful but all great things must come to an end. 2013, I welcome you and pray you are as wonderful as the past year!

Where Has December Gone?!

WOW! Christmas is in 7 days. SLOW IT DOWN!!!!! PLEASE!!!!! I love the build-up of Christmas. It just comes and goes soooo quickly. (Stamp foot. Pouty lip. Arms crossed over chest.)
Older folks weren't kidding when they told me the older you get, the faster time seems to go. But each year seems to go by faster and faster. I'm pretty sure that there are still 24 hours in a day and 60 minutes in an hour. And there are still 60 seconds in a minute. But I am still convinced time is speeding up. My mom told me that the days are long but the years are fleeting. Ain't that the truth!
So all in all, slow it down. Savor it. Don't blink. We don't get it back.

It's Beginning To FEEL A Lot Like Christmas.

I'm blogging as I sit at Wal Mart waiting on my layaway. As I walk through the toy isle to get to the layaway pick up, I saw 6 different baby dolls I want to grab for my 4 year old daughter. She LOVES babies! As I hear friends tell what their children are getting, I think "did I get mine enough?" Then I have to remember the message I tell my children almost everyday this time if year, it isn't about getting a bunch if gifts. It is about celebrating the birth of Christ! The best, most thoughtful gift we have ever been given! Thanks be to God! So as I take my few layaway items to the car, I know that they will receive enough on Christmas morning. And I know that we will continue to talk about the upcoming birthday if the best gift ever received!