Goodbye, 2011.

So, this year is finally at a close. I am so happy it is over and I am ready for new beginnings.

In 2011, we had lots of snow days and lots of days out of school.

• David had shoulder surgery in January. We were all so happy for him. I started my student teaching and had a wonderful time. I got a new room added on to the house and new furniture!



• In February, Eli turned fifteen and we went to Gatlinburg for CYC with seven kids!



• In March, the girls left and my family fell apart. This alone set the tone for the rest of the year, for both myself and the little kids. We had to find a new normal and we still struggle to understand why or how. This was the first "loss" that the kids had ever faced and is probably the closest thing to death (without it being the actual thing) that they will ever experience.



• We spent April walking in a daze. I think that Easter was in April.



• In May, I graduated from college and turned thirty six. My family gave me a great party and I was surrounded by those who love me.



• In June, Tripp turned six and I got a summer job teaching SPED and found out that I loved it!



• July was our long awaited week at the beach. Then, I got hired to teach 3rd grade.



• In August, my new job started. Eli went on to 10th grade. Emma started 2nd and Tripper went to kindergarten.



• In September, Emma turned eight years old. We were all busy with adjusting to school and my full time job. I got my first "big girl" paycheck!



• In October, we had a wonderful fall break and enjoyed a great night of Hayride Trick or Treating with a great group of friends.



• November brought my new sweet niece Adaline Fowler, a special celebration for my wonderful father in law, and our first Thanksgiving at home. Black Friday Shopping was a bust.



• December gave us a thirty eight year old Daddy! Ha! We also got two weeks off of school for Christmas break.

So I guess that we could say that 2011 was a life changing year. I am hoping and praying that 2012 will bring more answers, blessings, healing, and love. I am thankful for my family, the security of my home, the knowledge that I have people who love me, a wonderful job, great co-workers, and a chance to make a difference.

In Between.

After a wonderful Christmas, we are now ready for a great New Years celebration.

What does that leave us with? The week in between.

It is time to take down decorations, shopping is over. All that is left is a mess of toys that don't have a home just yet. We know that there is another celebration time coming, we are just waiting it out.

I really dislike this week. It is sad for me, it makes me anxious. It always has. There is so much to do. So this week, we are staying at home, getting things ready because we are going to The Wilderness in the Smokies for New Years Eve! How exciting is that! We have never been before and the kids are super excited about swimming and playing in the water.

As for Christmas, the kids were happy. We have Nurf guns and bullets floating around. We have American Girl dolls, and clothes everywhere. Eli is wearing his new North Face jacket all over the house. Dave and I got new chairs for our dining room table. And new Asics :)

So now, lets make it through this in-between week. I am starting my teaching list for next week. I am ready to get back in the swing of things.

Christmas Eve Eve!

Here we are, on Friday, December 23... Christmas Eve Eve!
Shopping is complete. I have to wrap one more gift. I haven't baked a thing yet. I have nothing to do except take Emma to the eye doctor for a check up.

It kinda feels strange.

I have already been out of school for one week. I have nine days left to be off. I am in the habit of staying up until one or two in the morning and sleeping till nine'ish. It is almost ten a.m. and the kids are still sleeping soundly.

Emma pulled her eighth tooth last night right at bedtime. I was somewhat drowsy and she went and wrote the tooth fairy a heartfelt letter, asking for her to dip her wing in the water, and then to write her name in the glitter. I was just so tired and a little perturbed at the request. Yet, the tooth fairy came through for Emma and she was excited about 5 a.m. this morning when she crawled in bed with me to tell me her findings.

And I know that this season is almost over. So I was glad that the fairy made it right last night.

Tripp does not have any loose teeth yet. I checked. He is following in Eli and Emma's footsteps and will be past seven when he loses his first tooth.