Adios, 2012

2012's most memorable moments....

*Daddy/Daughter Valentine Dance

*Surprise Spring Disney Vacation

*Weekend with friends at Great Wolf Lodge

*Addy's preschool graduation

*Sold our house in Round Rock and moved to Salado

*Two week summer vacation to Maine, Vermont & New Hampshire

*Random Galveston roadtrip to finish out the summer

*Aubrey started 3rd grade and Adelyn started Kindergarten

*We got a baby niece/cousin, Harper

*We became a diaper free household

*11 year anniversary cruise

2012 brought many great memories, as you can see.  It is easy to focus on the best times here on the blog, and that is really what I want to do.  It is easy and lighthearted and fun.  However, sometimes I think it paints an unrealistic picture of our life.  2012 presented some challenges for Dave and I as a couple, that were mostly brought on by a lack of communication over the years.  We got caught up in the day to day and put our marriage on auto-pilot.  We started to take each other for granted.  We kinda lost our connection for a while.  It happens to the best of us.  We spent a good half of the year mending what we thought was a fantastic union.  It took lots of late night discussions and quite a few arguments to really understand what was going on, how we got to that place, and how we were going to fix it.  Luckily, as with any strong marriage, we worked through our issues and we are looking forward to starting 2013 stronger than ever.  

We think moving to Salado is one of the best decisions we have ever made.  The kids are so active here and always want to be outside.  Aubrey and Adelyn love their schools.  The teachers love them.   Aubrey has struggled with reading since kindergarten, so we finally had her tested for dyslexia this year.  She was not diagnosed as dyslexic, but she was diagnosed with ADD.  We started her on Adderall and it, in my opinion, has made a tremendous difference in her learning and attention.  I think it's a freaking miracle drug.   She is the sweetest, most loving child you will ever meet.  She is always thinking about others.  She likes playing games on her Kindle, singing along to Taylor Swift, and playing with Addy & Blake.  Addy has ruled kindergarten like a boss.  She was recognized at the first assembly for showing respect to others.  I am so proud of her because I wasn't sure how kindergarten would go.  She is very opinionated and talkative, but apparently she knows when to shut it off at school.  She loves to draw and says she wants to be an artist when she grows up.  I wouldn't be surprised if that came true.  She and Blake are big buds and she gets way jealous if he hangs out with Aubrey instead of her.  Blake is doing awesome too.  He started going to school everyday and he loves it.  I drop him off around 9 and pick him up about 2:30.  He can't wait to get there in the morning to play with his friends.  He cracks me up.  He either loves stuff or hates it and there is no in between.  It took him a while to start talking, but he is making up for it now.  He told me this morning, "you so sweet, mom".  Kid knows how to butter me up already.  These little munchkins make life interesting and fun, as well as frustrating and challenging.  I am always amazed by how much they can change in a year.  

This year has taught me many things, but the most important is to not take anything for granted.  

Enjoy every single day.  Don't get caught up in the unimportant details.  Don't stress out about things you can't control.  Don't get caught up in drama.  Show people you care through your actions.  And ask yourself this question:  If you were to record yourself, would you like what you see?

“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.” –Unknown

With that, I will bid 2012 farewell.  

May 2013 bring you lots of love and laughter.  

Happy New Year!!