End of the Year Wrap-Up

It’s time for the end of the year wrap-up. I might be a day or two too early, but I’m busy getting ready for the annual NYE party tomorrow and the next day. Food! Oh yes, there will be lots of food, games, family, and friends… it’s always fun! 2011 was pretty exciting and loaded with blessings, milestones and a couple of life changing events, such as a marriage and a baby.  In as much of a chronological order as I can remember, here are some of the highlights of our year. Brandon turned 25 – he is a quarter of a century old! Chris and Jennifer moved home to Washington. Mom fell and broke her arm, etc… Andrea and Family came out to help with her grandma. They were here for a couple of months. Aaron turned 30 years old. Kat graduated high school. T-man graduated college, earning another degree and a few certificates. He made the Dean’s list! Hubby earned a degree in accounting and a couple certificates, graduating college, and was also on the Dean’s list. I wasn’t surprised because he made the Dean’s list when he was in college years ago too.  T-man turned 21 – that’s right. My baby is 21 years old. How does that make ya feel? One of my lifelong friends passed away… I loved her so, think of her daily, and she is missed dearly. Most of our family flew out to the midwest for a big family gathering… we had a wonderful time! Drew and Megan became Mr. & Mrs. We made a road trip to Oklahoma with Andrea, Mitch, and the kids. Fun times! I had a really awesome girls get-away with my best friend, Susan! YAY ME!! We made a mini-road trip from Oklahoma to Dallas with Andrea and Ashley… so much fun! Andrea and the kids flew out here in November. Mitch joined us a couple weeks later. We had Thanksgiving dinner at Aaron and Lisa’s. Hubby’s birthday landed on the same day. I think there were 28 for dinner, including the little children. The two oldest of our younger grandkids turned 5 years old! They seem like such big kids now. Chris and Jennifer had a baby boy… no doubt one of the biggest blessings of the past year. Christmas was pretty special this year, as we had almost all the kids home for the holidays. We were missing Drew and Megan!! Christmas Eve was at our house with our kids and grandkids.  Christmas day we had a big dinner at Aaron & Lisa’s… I think there were 30 of us sitting around the tables set end to end. It was beautiful with all the china and crystal. The food was pretty amazing too! Chris and Jennifer announced they will be moving their little family… my grand-daughter and my new little grandson, half way across the country. All in all, 2011 was pretty exciting! I reserve the right to edit this post Hehe! I know I’m forgetting at least one important event, milestone, activity, or something….    I’m not sure what 2012 holds for us… I’m praying for an amazing year. So far it isn’t looking so bright and merry as far as I’m concerned. At this point here’s what I know. Andrea and Mitch will be headed back home with their two beautiful kids. Chris and Jennifer will be leaving a few short days later… and T-man and probably Brandon will be moving back with them. Halfway across the United States. More than 2,000 miles away. That leaves me with an empty nest for the first time ever…. in 30 years, I’ve never been without at least one of my kids living with me at least part of the time. I’m not whining… just asking for prayers I can get through this time when my house will be too quiet.   Something to look forward to, Drew and Megan will probably be here in March. This is not set in stone… but I’m hoping!   I also hope hubby gets hired in 2012. The sooner the better!. He is coming to the end of his unemployment and any savings we had are nearly gone. This is not good. Imagine being homeless… at least I won’t have to worry about my kids living in a cardboard box with me ;P  Anyone need a project manager or an accountant? Hubby has years of experience as a project manager… and a new degree in accounting…   So there we have it… a look back over 2011 and a glimpse into what 2012 possibly holds for us so far… I truly am blessed and I know it. I’m thankful for what we have and what we have to look forward to, as I know it is all part of the Lord’s plan…