For some reason this past year is harder to break down for my reflection.
I know a lot of good and bad happened this year (like every other year)
For the most part I know that for my immediate family, personally, it was pretty chill/stable compared to the last few years.
However some of the people that I'm closest to had quite eventful years which overflowed into my own life and those are the majority of this years events.
I will start with my own family first:
While my dad was in between jobs, he was able to take me and the boys on quite a few road trips this past year. We visited lots of different states and were able to see some extended family members along the way. Jan 7th-17th was our long Road Trip to TX, FL & NC. The boys were so happy and I'm so thankful they had the opportunity to do so. I'm not sure if we'll ever get that chance again. They did amazing for such a long journey. [big props to DVD players, PS2 and DS!!] The cherry on the cake was having Tim fly down at the end and finish the week at a resort and getting to go to Disney World. It was the first time for him and all my boys. It really was magical (corny I know) One of the last weeks of Summer we visited the Schwarz Family in NH and The Adipietro Family in MA. Those are some of mine (and the kiddies) favorite families and it's really really great to be able to visit even though they don't live in NY anymore. We had a great time as usual - even though I had just recovered from the shingles...
that's a whole other topic that I may as well go into.....NOW...
2. Leading Worship
Ok so the shingles is the bad part of some major stepping out on my part. The weekend that I lead worship for the very first time (and planned Evan's 3rd birthday party) was right before I broke out. Even though it wasn't clinically proven that it was caused by it, I'm almost certain that I got it from the stress of it all. Besides planning a birthday party - the setting up, food prep, decor, cost, etc. which can be stressful on its own - I told my mom I would fill in for her leading because there was a possibility that she was going to be away for work. It was my first time leading, singing and playing guitar in front of that many people. My nerves were so shaky but thankfully I got through it! I really do love to sing and play guitar but in the comfort of my own room and just in front of my kids. I was even timid around Tim. This was all thanks to Tom for setting the stepping stones without realizing it. We had a period of time for people to sign up for bringing food, sharing a life lesson or leading worship. All the other sign up sheets were getting filled up but Tom was the only name on the worship leading sheet so I wrote my name down. That was really really scary too. Ahhh! - I know I have so much to work on and learn but I'm so proud of myself for taking risks and stepping out. I totally didn't ask to be in the position I am some Sunday mornings and honestly the majority of the times I really don't want to be up there. [I'm sure it shows too haha] I like my room and nobody around. Hopefully I can really be myself in worship even when people are around...
3. Tim takes a break from leading worship
This has been bittersweet.
The bitter part? I love when Tim lead worship. I remember the great times we had. I loved feeling God in the midst of it all. I just love Tim and I know he was created to worship. He just is a worshipper.
The sweet? He actually wants to play music at home again. He comes alive because there's no pressure attached. AND He's home on Saturdays!!! This was the first year in a long long time that he has been home on the weekends and it's been so so nice. The kids love it. I love it! Even though each job before being the "worship leader/over seerer" was also part time on the weekend they still took a nice chunk out of the Saturday.
He's still technically still on a worship team, he just doesn't have all the responsibility that comes with it. It really is a lot harder & stressful at times then it may look.
4. 2nd Car! - VW Passat
I'll make this short and sweet. Yay for not being stranded at home all day long!! Woot Woot!
7 years of mother and wifehood... ughh... It was about time!!!
5. Mom in and out of the hospital -
Boo this. I hated this part of the year. My mom had a couple of surgeries and it made my heart hurt to see her so scared and sad. I know that she's still dealing with all the emotions and stresses of life and health and I so wish I could make everything better and easier for her :( I wish I had answers to all the "whys" Err I can't even keep writing about it because it makes me too sad - which I know I still definitely need to process all the way because even though I'm not actually seeing doctors and being in and out of the hospital I can still carry the stress and burden that I wasn't made to carry. God, handle this one because there's nothing I can do and she needs comfort. I love my mom so much.
6. Swade McNutt
This one was back and forth bittersweet until finally the end of the year.
My sister said she was going to come home from Texas and then she changed her mind (I wanted her to do what she felt like she needed to do even though I would miss her) and then changed it again.
I got to see when she visited NY 2x before she finally moved HOME in Sept. & I'm so very thankful she did. And I got a new brother-in-law tooooo!! Welcome to the Family Mr. Wade McNutt. It was an honor helping plan a beautiful wedding in a very short amount of time for you guys. It was definitely something I didn't see coming but as I look back I should've known. (11/11)
7. Youth back at our house
After taking a break for a little while we started having youth once a month in our home again. Tim and I love having them over. It's been great being able to hang out and cultivate relationships with each other while setting aside time to meet with God. I love learning and taking risks together. They're such an awesome group of people. I love them!
And I hope 2011 is filled with many unforgettable times and that we will experience God in ways we never have before. Mmmhmm!
8. Babies
Last year everyone was pregnant and this year I got to see, hold and smell (haha babies smell ridiculously good!) them all! I absolutely love my new nephews, niece, cousins and god-daughter. It definitely gave me the itch to want to have another one so me and Tim tried to get better insurance (because that is part of the reason why we're holding off right now) And after long waits, lots and lots of paper work and phone calls we hit a Dead End. No babies for us this year. I don't know what's going to happen in the future because as Evan gets older and I'm able to enjoy taking him to the movies, and sledding, and water parks... not waking up in the middle of the night and not having to carry or stroll him everywhere...I really feel like I can get used to this and I'm not so sure if I really do want to start over. Tim & I have had many talks this past year and we both go back and forth. So who knows... but right now - 3 GROWING** boys it is and that's the way it'll be for 2011! Good thing I have lots of babies I can borrow! haha
**Caleb grew ridiculously a lot this past year. (over 4 and a half inches or something)
He is almost as tall as Joshua was at the beginning of the year and he's 2 1/2 years younger! And his first tooth is loose! What is going on?
9. Wrestling
This is the year that we signed Joshua up for wrestling and found out he loved it.
Caleb was able to start too (I think part of it has to do with his height and weight being so close to Joshua) Mondays & Wednesdays 6-8pm... I'm am now a mom of wrestlers! It makes me happy to see them do something they like and want to learn more about. This is their first year so I'm wondering if it'll last or if they'll show interest in something else next year?
I do get scared that they'll get hurt but that's what moms do I guess haha
10. Evan's heart murmur
I honestly almost forgot about this because THANKFULLY it turned out A-OK!
Evan's pediatrician said his heart sounded different and recommended that I go to a cardiologist to check to see if Evan had a heart murmur. It was another stressful part of my year. We set up the appointment. Evan had a few tests run and I must say he did so well with everything. He listened, didn't seem scared even with all the pads hooked up to him. He was relaxed and calm - didn't cry one speck. All the results came and it turns out that he does indeed have a heart murmur but it's not anything to worry about. He can do everything normally and it doesn't effect him. I was so relieved!
~If you couldn't tell by now I color coded it this time
Red - Bad
YellowISH - Bittersweet/Mix
Green - Good
And based on glancing over it, the majority of my year was GOOD.
I'm so thankful that this year was better then last.
And I'm hoping and praying that 2011 will be amazing and life changing for not only my own family but those around me.
God I really want to see and hear and feel You more then I EVER have in my whole life.
Heal & Restore the things that are broken. I'm ready for the new things you have in store...
...I think? hahaha
[Holding on for the Ride and Letting Go]
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