Reflecting on the past and planning for the future

It is very hard for me to believe that 2011 is officially in the books. That was a whirlwind of a year for our family.  We went from being apart (Bob in Michigan while I was in Ohio with boys) to being back together again in a different location.  I remember last January when I was making my new year's resolution I told Bob that it was just to "be present." I felt that I had so much going on that I wasn't even taking the time to enjoy any of it.  With my career from being a full time teacher to now a play at home mom it has helped me to "be present." I have enjoyed and treasured many of the memories that we have created together that would not have been if I was working full time.  Even though I know that I am not cut out to be a play at home mom forever it has been better than I had imagined.  I had myself convinced that I would hate it but thanks to so many new friends that I have met here I now look forward to it.  Which leads me to reflecting on the whole relocating to a new place...I have to admit that I knew and understood that it was the right decision for our family in the long run but was scared what it was going to do to me emotionally.  Being away from family and friends and starting all over terrified me.  The summer months were fine because we could be out and about but the lack of friends was starting to wear on me.  Just when I felt like I was at my breaking point I met some amazing mothers that were in the same boat as me.  They have kids and either stay at home or work and need time to unwind with other women.  I have created friendships with them and their children and it feels like we have known each other for longer than just a few months.  They are just such great people and I am so lucky to have met them.  Now onto Bob and I...we have always known that being together was what matters to us so when we were faced with being apart I knew it was going to be hard.  There were times that I wondered why we were doing this but he kept reassuring me that we were doing this for our family and our future.  He would talk me down from the stressful nights of being alone trying to put two kids to sleep and writing lesson plans for the next week.  He is my everything and I am so glad that we found each other.  I could have never gotten through it with anyone else.  We have survived this big hurdle in our life.

Ringing in 2012!!

As this year begins I have decided that I wanted to make more than one resolution and that they needed to be broken down into categories.  I challenged Bob into helping me create some that related to us and some for the kids.  Here is what we would like to work on with the kids: (not limited to only these...just a start)

1. Create opportunities for the boys to learn and grow

2. Stick to our guns to create good morals and manners

3. Be sure to have the boys help us put all the toys away before bedtime so we start each day with a picked up house

4. Continue to work on night time sleeping habits (more on this in future blogs--sleeping bootcamp)

5.Work on proper meal time manners (everyone sits at the table together)

These resolutions I think we can complete and build upon throughout the year.

Next, what Bob and I would like to see for us...

1. Let each other know what we mean to each other even when it's not a holiday

2. Watch a movie together at least once a month

3. Use the video camera at least once a month

4. Have date night once a month

5. Take one weekend trip without the kids (this one is going to be super tough for me)

I also created my own personal list but I have yet to complete it...always a work in progress.  My main goal this year is to be sure to tell others when they are doing something well.  Everyone needs a cheerleader!  

From our family to yours, Happy New Year...We hope this next year brings you health and happiness!