2011- A Year to Remember...





Good Bye 2011!  Hello 2012!

To be Honest, I'm kind of sad that 2011 is over.  It has been a wonderful and very blessed year for us.  Here's a look back......

January= Frustration-  This was a tough month.  We had celebrated the holidays without the kids and were waiting to hear about going back to Ethiopia to get the boys after being there on November 2010.  All the other families that had the same court date as us already had their kiddos home or were on the way.  We were STILL waiting.  At the end of January we had had enough and Jim went to ET to be with the boys. 

February=LOVE-  On February 10th we not only celebrated our 15th Wedding Anniversary but also the day that our adoption was finalized and officially had our boys.  How 'bout that for an anniversary present?  :) 

Jayson also celebrated his 4th Birthday on February 25th.

 

March= Parents-  We were home with the kids and the reality of being parents to a 4 year old and almost 3 year old set in real fast.....I think there were a few days in March when I forgot to brush my teeth and/ or take a shower!  Can we say...overwhelmed!  There were good days, bad days and OH GOD HELP US DAYS!!!

April= Easter- Jordy and Jay's first experience with the Easter Bunny and Easter Egg hunt.  They were not impressed.....they kept asking why the Easter Bunny made a mess? 





 

1st Easter Bunny Picture

May= Reality- After being on family leave for 12 weeks, it was time to go back to work.  The reality of being a working Mom set in fast.  And so did the guilt....Does the guilt ever go away? 

My realization is that I can be a Mom, an employee and a wife.  I just can't be good at them all at the same time.  So, when I'm being a good Mom...I may be a bad employee.  And when I'm a good employee, I'm probably not a great Mom or wife.  Key learning here is BALANCE!



Jordan also celebrated his 3rd Birthday on May 3rd.

June= Summertime- It's all about "Swim-in-ing" as Jayson says.  :)







July= Old- I turned 40 and that's all I'm saying about that......

August= Back to School- Jay and Jordy had been in pre-school since May but in August they "graduated to the next class".  Jayson is in pre-K and Jordan is in Jay's old classroom (the 3 yr old class) which Jay now calls the "baby" class, of course since it's his little bro's class now. 

September= Potty Training-  ONE WORD.....NIGHTMARE!

October= Fun- The kids had a great time on Halloween.  A rough start at first but when they figured out all you had to do was walk up to a house and say "Trick or Treat" and you got candy......it was all over.  We also celebrated Jim's 43rd birthday on Halloween.  There was candy and birthday cake!!

 



November= Thankful-  Our first Thanksgiving with the boys and our families.  So much to be thankful for this year!  

December= Joy- Joy totally describes the feeling of Christmas through the eyes of children.  The excitement, anticipation and fun of Christmas morning brings out the kid in all of us. 

Happy New Year!  Wishing you health, peace and joy in 2012!