Goodbye 2014

Another year is almost over.  How can that be possible?  It seems like we were just about to ring in 2014! It has gone by so fast!  But, I think overall 2014 has been a good year for us.

I turned 30 in January. I don't really feel 30 if that makes sense.  I guess I always thought by the time I was 30 I would have everything figured out.  Ya know...organized home, mom with a planner and crafts and everything together.  But, alas, that is not how 30 turned out.  Oh well.

Lexi turned 5 in May and started Kindergarten in August.  It doesn't seem possible that my sweet little 5 pound miracle is in Kindergarten.  And I hate to brag (no really I don't) but this girl is smart.  She has always been smart.  I used to call her baby genius.  She was so scared to start Kindergarten because she didn't think she was smart enough to do it.  But now she loves it.  She is reading at least at a second grade level, and I couldn't be more proud of her.  I love to see little parts of her personality start to grow and change...but it's still funny to see the things that stay the same.  From the time she was born (4 weeks early) she has done things on her own time.  She joined the world early, but didn't want to leave the NICU.  She was adamant about using her preemie bottles up until the day she started using a sippy cup...which I had to hold like a bottle because she refused. She was content to sit on the floor and play with whatever she could reach.  Crawling and walking just weren't priorities.  She is the same today.  Everything is on her time.  She does not like to be woken up before she is ready.  She stumbles out of the bedroom looking exactly like me in the mornings!  I have to remind her over and over to get dressed, or eat breakfast, or brush her teeth, just so we can get out of the house in the mornings.  She just does things on her timing.

Rex Allen turned 2 in September. And let me tell you, I just don't know how that is possible. Seems like he was just my spoiled little baby who needed to be held at all times.  But now he's my spoiled big man.  I have always felt guilty about going back to work after he was born, but it was something that had to be done.  I was able to stay home for a year after Lexi was born, and I felt like I knew everything about her.  With Rex, I felt like all his bonding was with Jacob.  He was Daddy's boy all the way.  But me being home with him all day for 5 months has changed that!  We have gotten to know each other.  He has learned how to push my buttons, and I have learned how to interpret his gibberish.  I feel like we get each other now. And he definitely melts my heart with that ornery little smile.

In July I lost my job.  I have felt every emotion possible about it.  I have gone from feeling completely lost and broken, to feeling empowered and confident in new beginnings....and all the way back again. 

My health has had highs and lows.  Botox completely changed my life, and then changed it again when I lost my insurance. 

I got to be there to welcome a new nephew into the world in April.  And stand beside my sister as she married the love of her life in October.

We raised money and walked to end Alzheimers in memory of my Grandma.  And we still miss her every single day.

Lots and lots of family time was enjoyed this year.  This is something I can never get enough of.  I feel like I thrive when I am surrounded by family.  I never take enough pictures though, and should really make that a resolution for next year. 

I got to spend an amazing long weekend in Alabama this summer with some of my very best girl friends.  It was a long drive, and per the norm, I ended up as red as a lobster.  But it was so great. 

I have very close friends who have suffered extreme loss and pain this year.  I wish I could take that away from them.  I can only hope and pray that 2015 is a better year for them, and that their prayers are answered.  At the same time, I have friends who have had their dreams come true, and their prayers answered this year.  My heart couldn't be more happy for them. 

I have been wanting to post pictures from all our Christmas celebrations, but I left my camera at my mom's house last weekend, so I haven't been able to load any of them.  I promise that is coming!

No matter if 2014 was your best or worst year ever, I am praying for 2015 to bring all your greatest wishes!

2012 in Review

Since I'm using this blog kinda as a journal, and kinda for my children to read someday, I thought it would be a good idea to review everything that happened in 2012.

January:
We purchased our very first home. It was a long and trying process, but we are so happy with the decision we made.  We feel very blessed to be given the opportunity to be home owners!  In this economy, we know how special that is.

February:
We found out we were expecting baby #2.  On Valentine's Day of all days!

March:
For some reason I'm drawing a blank on March.  I checked out my facebook pictures and there are pictures from a trip to Cherokee that we took. 

April:
Lexi had her very first sleep over with her cousins, Aubrie, Averie, and Gracie.
Our first Easter in our new house.
The first Easter where Lexi was really able to get involved in coloring and hunting for eggs.

May:
Lexi turned 3.  We celebrated with a "Princess and the Frog" themed birthday party.
Lexi started recognizing her own name. 
We visited the Tulsa Zoo where she was able to see a giraffe named Lexi and read the sign.

June:
In light of the new baby coming, Lexi got a big girl bed, with princess sheets.
Lexi tasted her first ever snocone.

July:
Lexi burned her hand on a sparkler, thank goodness it barely left a mark.
We hosted a baby shower for my niece Mattie Marie, here at the house.

August:
Miss Mattie made her arrival.
I went on maternity leave at work.

September:
Rex Allen made his arrival.

October:
Rex's first Halloween.
Rex was a skeleton and Lexi was Cinderella.  She was really into Halloween this year.  She wanted to wear her costume to school every day.
We spent a night in the Children's Hospital with Rex. Thank goodness it turned out to be nothing serious and we were able to go home the next day.

November:
Thanksgiving in Cherokee.

December:
Rex's first Christmas.
Lexi was really into Christmas this year.  Everything was about Santa Clause and who was on the naughty or nice list.
She loved decorating the tree.  She loved having the house all lit up with lights. She is going to be really upset when we take all the lights down.  I might have to get her some special lights for her bedroom.
Christmas Eve was awesome, just hanging out here at home.  We were able to make cookies, and salt dough ornaments.  It was a really special Christmas.

I hope everyone had a blessed 2012.  While it seems like there was so much bad that happened this year, it's nice to look back and actually see all the good stuff.
Happy New Year friends!