2011 Highlights

2011 Highlights:

It is good for us to sit down and remember all that has gone on in the past year, and be thankful for all that has happened that we have been able to enjoy. Even if it doesn't feel that the year overall has been "good", surely there were part of it that are worthy of reflecting on and saying a genuine "Thank you" to God.

It’s also good to look back at the trials we’ve had and see that we have come through them and that lots of things we dealt with were, in fact, temporary.  Since we recognize that God has been faithful to us in the past, we can know that we have no reason to doubt Him in the future.  I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again:  If we can’t trust God with our lives, whom can we trust?  Today, I will be focusing on the highlights of the past year and as I write about each one I am thinking about how grateful I am for each event.

That said, here are my 2011 highlights:

1) Becoming a stay-at-home mom. 

This is one that I honestly did not know would be as much of a “high” as it has become.  I struggled with this decision for a while.  I wondered if I would become stir-crazy; if the monotony of daily tasks would get to me and I’d regret quitting the great job I had teaching high school.  Believe it or not, since the day I submitted my resignation to the district, I have had five different opportunities to go back and work for them, whether doing a maternity leave or a part-time position that opened up after I resigned.  It was a tough decision to say no to these tempting opportunities to keep up with my skills as a Spanish teacher yet still keeping large chunks of time as a mom with my girls.  However, taking care of my husband’s grandpa (Papa), which has become somewhat of a part time job, and keeping that consistency with the schedule has outweighed the benefit of working  in these positions.

2) Celebrating the wedding of my youngest brother.

We gained a great sister-in-law this year.  Stephen and Lauren’s wedding was a celebration to remember.  The two of them sing on the worship team together at their church and their wedding ceremony had a full band leading all of us in celebration of God’s love for us as we celebrated two people’s love for each other.  Welcome to the family, Lauren!

3) Seeing my youngest girl learn to walk and talk.

This is always a high for any parent.  My 17-month-old Emma has just mastered walking and is chatting all of us up daily.  My favorite is how she is putting little sentences together.  She’ll name an item first and then say what she wants to do with it.  (i.e. “Water . . . drink it!” or “Nemo . . . watch it!”)  So adorable.

4) Getting to know all of the awesome young adults at my church. 

My husband and I have become really involved with the college & career group at our church.  I see this group as so important because that phase of life where you finish school, look for a job, look for a husband or wife, and try to make your way in the world can be scary, discouraging, and difficult.  To have a bunch of friends going through the same kinds of things with you, along with a few oldies (like me and Jess) who have recently survived and moved through that phase, is invaluable.  Both Jesse and I have had the chance to lead a small group or girls and it has been such a cool thing to form solid friendships with some awesome people.  We pray for each other’s needs, talk about what is going on in our lives, and, of course, study the Word of God together.  It rocks.

5) Starting a little tutoring business.

Since I am no longer teaching, I have begun tutoring high school students just like I used to teach, who need help in their Spanish class.  This has been a perfect opportunity to keep up with my language and teaching skills, but even more it has been a great chance to get to know some really cool teenagers.  I would never have met these kids if I hadn’t put my name out there as a Spanish tutor, and honestly it has been so fun working with them and watching their skills and confidence with Spanish shoot up over the school year.  Plus, I get to make my own hours with this, which is always great.

Those are my highlights.  What are yours?