2014

Normally toward the end of the year I like to write a note thinking of all I am thankful for.  This year I am struggling to come up with the words.  So this note might be a little different.

Don't get me wrong I have plenty to be thankful for.  My kids are healthy.   This has been Bryan's best year physically in a long time.  We added nieces and a nephew to the family this year.  It is VERY excited to see all the new babies.  Homeschooling is going really well.  Eric once again got a high score on the standardized test we are required to take.  Bryan got his highest score ever this year!  Caylie is doing great and the reading that she was struggling with is really coming a lot easier to her.

We have been blessed by new friends this year.  One homeschool family has practically become family to us.  Our kids are inseparable and the mom might as well be my sister.  So thankful for life long friends that we have been able to stay in contact with this year.  I wish they were closer!!

FOUR of my sisters got married this year!!  So thankful I was able to be at 3 of the events.  They have picked guys they can truly grow old with.  I can't wait to see how their marriages grow over the years.

We were able to visit family on vacation this year.  It was so awesome to see all of them and share some laughs.  Spent a lot of time at our first stop snuggling our new nephew Owen.  He is definitely the most adorable baby boy I have EVER seen.  At our second stop we got to see our new niece Remmington.  She is BEAUTIFUL!  Caylie is already planning to teach her and our other new niece Kennedy some dance moves as soon as they can walk.  Our last stop, we got to visit Uncle Dave and his amazing family lots of laughs and LOTS of AMAZING food.  Seriously,  worth the drive out there just for dinner.

It was at our last stop that Caylie found out she had made the competition dance team.  If you haven't seen the video of her reaction let me know!  It's priceless! She worked very hard.  We are so very thankful to the dance company that has poured some much into her over the past year.  She has really blossomed, not just has a dancer!

While Caylie found her passion with dance the boys are still trying out stuff.  I think they just like to try a lot of different things.  They are currently taking a break from karate but they did rank up a belt earlier this year and got to compete in a just for fun competition.  Right now they are planning to make a lot of minecraft movies for youtube.

I am so thankful for my sisters.  A lot of bonds have gotten stronger this year.  It is such a blessing to be part of a big family.  I am thankful for my brothers too of course!

I am so thankful for my husband.  He as always has been my rock and biggest supporter.  I have had to make some  tough decisions this year and he has had my back the whole time.

Unfortunately this year I had to step away from a relationship that had gotten toxic for me.  I didn't want to, I tried to just take a break but it didn't work.  Things blew up.  I have learned so much in the past few months, I don't think things will ever be the same.  Sadly, because of the choice I needed to make I've had many upset with me and even turn away from me completely.  I get that some will never understand the choices I have made.  They think I am being selfish and tearing the family apart.  I can't make them see what's really going on and honestly I am not trying to.  I don't want anyone to ever be put in the middle. I had to stop worrying about what everyone else thinks.  After a lot of prayer and seeking counsel I knew what I had to do.  So why do I include this in my year end note.  Well it was a huge part of my year but really there is a lot of talk going on about who, what, and why.  I don't want to write a tell all tearing others down.  I am just putting it out there, this is what I had to do for me if you have questions about it come to me instead of talking behind my back,

I am looking forward to 2015.  I am excited to see what a New Year brings.  Looking forward to seeing my kids accomplish their goals, to have friendships grow and celebrating 14 years of marriage with my awesome husband.