Reflecting on 2011

Overall, 2011 was a good year for us. It's been an extremely busy year filled with work and school and the boys' activities but we're doing well and overall we've been healthy.

The boys and I drove to MN over the summer to see my family. We picked up my sister-in-law, Trish, in Nebraska. That was a good idea since we all ended up getting a stomach bug while there. She drove quite a bit on our way back since I wasn't completely back to normal yet. I also attended my 20 yr class reunion while in MN. There were only 8 of us there for the reunion but it was fun. It was a good trip and I enjoyed getting to know Trish a little better. We're looking forward to planning our next adventure.

Life has been strange the last several months. In August, our neighbor was found murdered in his home just 3 houses from us. The kids had been out riding their bikes earlier that Monday morning. We had just finished eating lunch when we saw the police putting up red tape across our yard. My kids had played with his kids and had been in their house a few times. We had to talk to them and it was a difficult conversation to have with young boys. Those last 2 weeks of summer were spent mostly inside the house instead of soaking up the last days of fun before homework and soccer started. Our street was quieter and we missed the noise of the boys yelling and playing outside. Gradually, the boys and all the neighbor kids started having fun again in the cul-de-sac.

Sept. and Oct. were extremely busy for us. School and work were in full swing and Ted and Nate both played soccer. Ted and Harrison are also in cub scouts and I organized popcorn sales for the pack. We sold a lot of popcorn and made a lot of money for the pack so that was good that our hard work paid off.

In Oct., I found out that a woman I know at church was diagnosed with melanoma. My cousin, Kelly, died of melanoma on Oct. 31. Kelly was only a year older than me so he was the closest cousin I have (the others are all much older). I hadn't seen or talked to Kelly in several years but I have fond memories of when we played together as kids. It was difficult hearing that he had lost that battle. Cancer sucks. On a positive note, it did get me to make an appointment with a dermatologist so I could have her check a couple moles. Everything looks fine so far.

The year is ending on a good note. Thanksgiving was spent in IA and MN with family. Harrison celebrated 1st Reconciliation in Dec. We spent a few days during Christmas in Canon City with Bob's dad and stepmom.

These last couple days of 2011 are being spent relaxing together as a family and playing with the new toys. Nate still loves to cuddle with me so I hold him any chance I get. Ted has taken an interest in learning to cook and bake. He helped make cookies and lately he's been learning to make pancakes. Harrison is getting so tall and he's still his sweet funny self. The boys fight at times but overall they really enjoy spending time together.

I'm looking forward to the new year. Ted will turn 10 in January. We will celebrate Harrison's 1st Communion in April. Nate will turn 5 in April and start kindergarten in the fall. My hope in 2012 is for more joy than sadness. I will focus on enjoying the present time and not worry as much about the past or future.

Happy New Year!

Carol

Found my blog again!

I haven't been here in over a year! Life has been crazy. :) I had to look in a past email to even find the address because I couldn't remember.

Ok...putting this on my to do list for tomorrow because it's too late tonight.

Catching up...

I'll be honest...it's actually 2011 but I'm playing catch up with the posts. Apparently, I didn't post too much in 2010 because this is all that I found on my Facebook page...

Dec. 23-- I'm done making cookies. If they're all gone before Santa arrives tomorrow night, then Santa will be getting an apple instead. (What happened to the puppy chow?) It got eaten...by the next day I think. A neighbor boy helped a little with that one, though. The healthier pumpkin cookies have lasted the longest but it also made a ton since I doubled the recipe to use the full can of pumpkin. The boys looked a bit concerned when I said Santa would get an apple if the cookies are gone. I said we could leave him some almonds too but that didn't reassure them that Santa would be ok with that and leave them presents. I made some cookies with nuts and they don't really like those. There are enough of those left that I don't think Bob and I will eat them all today.

I made a couple more batches of cookies today and gave some out to the neighbors since we don't need to be eating more. I do have a plate set aside for Santa and I think it'll make it until tomorrow night.

Dec. 25-- All the boys were up at 3 am and didn't go back to sleep. Hopefully they'll sleep on the way to Grandpa and Grandma's house! I remember getting up early to check out what Santa brought but I think we were sent to bed until morning. This is the first year it's been that early. Luckily, they did sleep on the way down. Harrison takes after me, though, and doesn't sleep well in the car.

Dec. 29-- Making "healthy and delicious pumpkin banana bread". I hope it tastes good...makes me wonder when they feel the need to put delicious in the title, though.

It was just ok. Ted opted for cereal (looked too much like banana bread to him) and Harrison took just a couple of bites.

Busy day of making treats and crafts

I signed the boys up to attend a holiday nature crafts event today. I had planned to drop Ted and Harry off but maybe stay with Nate for a little while. It was really busy and loud so I was glad I didn't just drop Ted and Harry off. The college students who helped at each of the tables did a great job with the kids. Nate loved all the crafts. They painted some paper for cards, made some ornaments from trees, made elves out of pine cones, and made cards using crayons and glitter. I should take pictures tomorrow of each of them with their stuff.

Afterwards, we went to Subway for lunch. Ted talked to me a bit about his friend, J, who is a girl. He said he has a crush on her and might even marry her when they're older. I asked him if she felt the same way about him but he's not sure. They promised to be best friends 'til the end, though. Ted told me that he doesn't think it's going to be hard finding a girl to marry. There's another girl that he also likes so if J moves away he might marry her. I hate to think about girls breaking his heart but I have a feeling that's going to happen in a few years. I hope he starts to understand that marriage is a bit more complicated than just finding someone before his heart is broken.

Sewing is dangerous

A few months ago, I tried washing the sheer curtain in the bathroom since it was so dusty. I thought maybe it'd be ok if I put it on gentle cycle--nope, it came out of the washer completely shredded. So, I bought some material to make a new curtain. It's supposedly washable fabric but I won't be taking that chance in a while. Anyway, I needed to sew along the top. I had put it off long enough so while I thought Bob had the boys entertained, I took out the sewing machine. I started sewing and Nate came into the dining room. He told me I was going to hurt myself. I told him that I was being careful and I'd be fine. I was almost to the end (luckily) and Nate was under the table "helping" me sew by pushing the pedal.

I guess I should have listened to him. Sewing is dangerous when your 2 yr old is still awake. :)

More Oct snow pictures

Snow in October!