New Year's Eve...

I know that I am getting older. My eyes are so tired and I am contemplating on sliding down into my bed instead of being propped up against the headboard. It's New Year's Eve, and 2012 is lurking right around the next few ticks of the clock.

When I was young, our New Year's Eves were spent at Church - we'd have a long service with usually visitors from other congregations, singing, visiting and praying in the New Year. Our congregation doesn't do this any longer. Instead, we are at home; I have tucked my 6 yr old son into bed, read his two bedtime stories, and we said our nightly prayers. I have a full, thankful heart...running over and filling up my life with the love God has blessed us with.

At the end of 2011, I can reflect back to the monumental times in our family's life...and it's been good. I realize I've developed into different person now. I am 41...married with a child. No longer is there any symbol whatsoever of a young person. I am a mature woman. Capable of making my own decisions. Standing on my own. Answering only to God and myself...and most of the time to my hubby :) 

This past year, I have learned so much about myself.

I am capable of handing adversity.

I have learned to say "no" just a bit more often.

I have learned that what others think about me does not have to effect how I perceive myself.

I have leaned that I CAN put myself first and not everyone else.

It's ok that I take a nap while Gage is at school.

It's ok if I want to go meet Jason for lunch at the last minute; to jump in the truck with him and ride to Owensboro and back - when there is a mountain of laundry and wedding pictures to edit.

It's ok to drive to school and pick Gage up and go for french fries at McDonald's just because.

I can forgive myself for my mistakes...there is no sense beating myself up over them. Everyone else has forgotten about it, so why can't I?!

I am not a perfect mother. Will never be. But I will be the best mother I can be.

I will never have enough patience. I am a very laid-back, easy going person, but I pray for patience every day.

I will never have brown hair again. It's turning silver very quickly nowadays.

I cannot be the perfect wife. There is no such thing.
However, I do know that I love my husband so much.
He and I have been through alot in the past 12 years together/10 years of marriage.
We've been scared.
We've been weary.
We've been at our wit's end with each other.
We have had words.
We have pointed fingers.
We have loved each other.
We are happy.
I can't be without him and he says he can't be without me.
We promised for better and for worse, in front of God and everybody. Separation has never been an option.
He's the person who makes me better.
He knows me, understands my moods, bolsters me.
God knew what he was doing when he put Jason in my life. Talk about opposites attracting...whee!

Yes, I am an old woman now. Gage told me so. His reasoning: "Well, mom, you are a woman. And you are old. That makes you an old woman".

I remember when I thought 41 was old. One foot in the grave, one foot on a banana peel old. It's ok with me now that the tables are now being turned.

I'll enjoy being an old woman in 2012.

I'll enjoy seeing my son turn 7 and complete first grade and move on to second.

I'll enjoy celebrating my 42nd birthday and our 11th anniversary.

I'll enjoy talking with my friends and rekindling old friendships. I'll enjoy making new friends.

I'll try the hardest to be the best old woman God will shape me to be.

Because I think I am finally grown up. That's what being "old" is. And I like it.

Happy 2012!

After Christmas...

This pic is from a couple Christmas seasons ago, but is still my all time favorite! 

My nieces and nephews on my side of the family.

Kiddos from Jason's side of the family from last year. They are all growing up so very fast!! 

There will be a new great-grandbaby next Christmas...

Congrats Andrew and Katie, looking forward to taking lots of new pictures!!

Wow!! It has been way too long since I've entered a post on here. I am going to have to do better keeping up with myself.

The past few months have been so very busy. My sister, Vonda and I have started a new business, with the help of our sister in law, Kim. We are the proud owners of the Polka Dot Alligator Children's Consignment LLC. We offer seasonal consignment sales in the Leitchfield area. www.polkadotalligator.com

Our first three day sale will be March 29-31 at the Centre on Main in Leitchfield, KY. We are super excited and hope to see everyone come shop and sell with us. Contact us and we will be glad to help you get started!! I look forward to making new friends! We are also on facebook, so please like our page so you can keep up with all our "goings-on"!! We will be consigning and selling all things child related - furniture, equipment such as strollers, bouncy seats, high chairs, toys, room decor, bedding, clothing and shoes. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Polka-Dot-Alligator-Childrens-Consignment-LLC/300696939964319

I have also been a bit busy with Christmas pictures, and am now enjoying some time off from the editing screen. Hopefully the new year will see a boom in activity! I like to keep my work load light enough to enjoy what I do and have time to spend with my hubby and boy.

 Photo card I created for my mom for Christmas this year.

We had a great Christmas. As usual, I think we sorta overdid it where Gage was concerned, but he is our only child, and is so easy to buy for...especially when all he wanted was trucks from TSC and Rural King. He also got a farm/grain bin set-up that has taken over his bedroom floor. He goes back to school next Tuesday, January 3. Doesn't seem possible that the year is all but over and first grade is in full swing.

All three members of my family have been sick this past month. I have been sick since the Thanksgiving school break with bronchitis that has refused to leave. I was at my third doctor's appointment yesterday. She hit me hard with meds and shots, so maybe I can get it on the run. Jason has an ear infection and ear ache, along with chest/respiratory congestion. We sound like a pack of barking dogs.

Gage has had pneumonia and a double ear infection. He has missed several days of school and we have missed more church than in forever...seems like one of us is always sick anymore. I am missing my Sunday School kiddos... and their wisdom. HA!! I asked them the other day what would happen if they grew up to be "evil" people. (They like the word "evil" - it sounds more ominous that just "bad".) The girls' eyes just got huge, and the boys piped with things like "go live with the devil", "get poked with a pitch fork and get my hair pulled" and my nephew...who has cornered his own brand of reasoning said the devil would made everyone "eat hot peppers." Love those kids!