Mahalo, 2010...

This year started out with four bouts of pre-term labor, my birthday (on which I received a heart-shaped funfetti cake made with love by my son and his grandma and a promise of a date when I was no longer pregnant by my husband which he has still yet to comply with), and the arrival of my baby girl, Ava Layne.

I'll never forget each and every day I've had with Ava. It started out rough with post-partum depression, but with help quickly turned into the most joyous months I've had in a long time. Before Ava arrived, I wondered how I'd ever love another baby as much as I love Ryan. God knows though...somehow, you do. The human heart has an eerie way of going all Grinch (at the end of the book) and growing three sizes in one day. My children are such a blessing.

Ryan has grown from a child into a young little man. It breaks my heart but makes me so proud at the same time. He's witty, funny, mischievous, lovable, and sharp as a tack. It was he and I against the world for a long time, and I hope we never lose the close bond that we have. I am immensely proud of him and his accomplishments: Accelerated Reader, Football MVP in his first year playing, all-around athlete (the kid plays baseball, football, soccer, basketball, and takes swimming lessons), wonderful son, grandson and nephew, and above all....child of GOD. It kinda makes me think I must be doing something right.

My husband Stephen is chugging along in school full-time (with a virtual 4.0 mind you), while all the while working full-time. I remember working and being in school with a 2-3 year old, and it ain't easy. I can't tell him enough how much I appreciate what he's doing for our family. With all he has gone through last year and this year, a weaker person would have crumbled. But not one of the strongest men I know. He has grown in the Lord as well, and that is something I'm thankful that this year brought for him.

God, my husband, and my children are my world. Yes, there have been plenty of setbacks this year. But I might as well throw that out with the trash tonight....no sense in dwelling, right? There are a lot of changes ahead for me and my family. (One for me will be getting to my goal weight, but that is so not a New Year's Resolution, it's a life resolution. That journey is just that....a journey, not a destination.)

I'm just gonna do my best to be the best wife, mommy, daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, co-worker, and friend that I can possibly be.

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming......

:)

Happy New Year, folks....here's to 2011.