New Years...

It seems every year brings more experiences, more layers, more character chiseling--a gradual metamorphosis into a better, brighter, and hopefully wiser being. And that fact alone makes new years thrilling. I whole-heartedly embrace 2012... and embrace all of what it might bring.


That being said - these are a few of the things I've learned this year.....

1. I learned after living in Michigan most of my life, I can love living in Orlando.  truly.

2. I finally learned, after a year of trying to grow my hair that it's not worth it.  
It's getting cut... pronto.

3. I'm learning to let go of the things that hurt me and embrace those things that encourage and give.

4. There is nothing so time critical that you can't stop for ten minutes and play with your kids.


5. Never to rent a truck from 'budget' moving company or a car... they'll squish you into a little-yellow-taxi-cab-clown-car or give you a truck you're afraid for your husband to drive all your worldly possessions in.


 6. I've learned not to push away uncomfortable feelings. Embrace them. Learn from them.

7.  Zumba is fun... embarrassing but fun (also see number 6 regarding such things)

8. Find things that make you happy. Do them. (see number 7)

9. I like to travel. But I like coming home just as much.  I never thought I'd say that.

10. I've learned the role of "spiritual guru" is a treasure. I have a few wise souls I run to when I need wisdom. They don't always tell me what I want to hear. And I love that.

11. It's okay to define the kind of mom I am as I go along. Above all, my girls will know they were loved.  (And according to Ailey that I care too much about how messy their hair is or isn't.) Truth be told they'll remember both of those things... but hopefully love over the other.

12. I need to keep learning. Pushing myself to ask questions. Read books. Google topics. Try something new. But not riding Ailey's bike because she asks you to, because you'll fall and nearly break your neck. (not, that I did that...)

13. Family is everything. Family is everything. Family is everything.

14. Friendship can get better with age.  I love my friends. I need them. (and I miss my northern ones terribly)  But friendship settles in better with age... I know what I need and what I can give.

15. I am a Harry Potter nerd.  done.  And although I suspect I'm a gryffindor, I am according to Andrew a slytherin... which I'm maybe not okay with.

16. Having a baby in no way glosses over or changes past hurt, but it has been incredibly healing for me... 

17. I've learned that quiet time can sometimes be sanity saving for both mama and child

18. Music is a part of me. I breathe in quarter notes. Music changes my moods, inspires me, motivates me, speaks to me. I've tried to dodge it, ignore it and get away from it... but it never seems to leave completely

19. *see below

20.  New Years is Special and deserves to be treated as such... celebrate it up.  

(BUT always volunteer to photograph the pool jump and not actually participate in it - it's coooooold.)

 cousins...

19.  Lastly, and perhaps most importantly...

I've learned I am not truly complete without Andrew.  I would claim independence as the day is long... but I need him.  I need the steadiness, the wisdom and the friendship.  Here's to another year of figuring out how to do life better together... 

What about you... what have you learned this year?