Reflections on 2007

Well, here it is... the dawning of a new year. It is hard to believe that another year has gone by. When I was a kid, I remember hearing the adults saying how fast time was flying by... I could never understand. Now I do. Wach year seems to go by faster than the one before it. Time is snowballing, going faster all the time.

I sit here listening to the silence in the house. justin is working on a school paper. Camden is squirming in his bed behind me... I try to type quietly so as not to wake him. Jasmine and Samuel are finally quiet in their room. As i sit and listen I am so grateful. I have been blessed beyond measure. Beyone all that I could even ask or think.

I have a husband whom i cherish. He loves me, and I am confident of that. There is never a doubt in my mind. We are closer now than we have ever been. I love the time we spend together. I love just having him around. He is wise, kind and loving. His heart is one of the first things I fell in love with. And I love him more today than I did yesterday. i can't wait to spend another year with him.

i have 3 amazing children, each one is a blessing in their own way.
Jaz, This year I have taken on the challenge of homeschooling her. It has not been easy, and yet it has. She is so smart, and learns everything so quickly. But my baby girl is growing up too quickly. She turned 5 this year. It breaks my heart to think of sending her off to school. I just don't know if I can do it. We will see what the year brings and take it as it comes. She is growing up to be such a sweet girl. She has developed some attitude however, and feels the need to be Sammy's second mother! She is a big help in many ways. She is a kind friend and has a big imagination!! She has fallen in love with Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables! She sure is a lot like her Mamma!

Then there is Sammy. My little Destroyer! This year has brought about so many changes in him! My having another baby before he turned 2 was hard on him. He really struggled at first, but once he got used to the idea... it was a great thing for him! It helped to grow him up! He needed that! He's still the tough one... he is an extreme boy... everything he does is extreme.. if he's sick, he's VERY sick! Happy? VERY happy! get my point? So, in going along with this... he's VERY much a Mommy's boy! He only wants Mommy for a lot of things during the day! This is something we're working on. But this boy is my pride and joy, dispite the challenges! He's so precious! He learns so much from his sister. And though they have their times, she is so good to him. And he adores her for it!

Camden, My unexpected blessing. This time last year, I was pregnant with an unplanned pregnancy. I was having a hard time accepting it, cause I had my hands so full with Sammy. But God definately knows what he's doing. Camden arrived in Feb, just after a horrible snowstorm. He was perfect. He is such a sweet and precious boy! Amazing really. I would not change anything... I didn't think I was ready for baby #3, but I did it. Here we are with his first birthday just around the corner... and i'm here. Sane as i could be... and happy. Thank you Lord for this amazing little boy!

I, personaly have been challenged in the last year. It has not all been easy, as I have gotten behind in the housework, things have just gotten out of hand. I have had great loss of patience... having 3 kids 5 and under is a real challenge! But I have grown thru this. I have come to understand why other people do the things they do, and why things are the way they are sometimes. I am somewhat disappointed in myself in this past year in some ways. I feel i have failed in my spiritual life. This controls every aspect of my life... and though i look back on the year with many fond memories, I do have regrets. And in examining the year, I have some up with the following thoughts.

I want to be more patient. I am the only Mommy that my children have. I want to be the best that i can be. I want them to always be happy and feel loved, cherished and adored. I feel that they are.

I want to find balance in my life. I am an extremist. I am all or nothing. If I'm scrapping... I'm scrapping! I have a hard time juggeling that with motherhood and housewife. I do it... but it's not always easy. i need to strive to find a happy balence in all i do.

I want to be healthier. I need to loose about 25-30 lbs. I want to do it for my health, for my self confidence and for my husband. Not to mention, I'm Maid of Honor in my sister's wedding in Sept! LOL!

I want to be more organized. My house desperately needs organizing! I want to. I can do it. I know how. But I just don't have enough time. I will take things one step at a time and get things in order.

I want to make better use of my time. I will get up by 7 am and get a good start on my day. If i need a rest, I can do so. But mornings must be my time to get things done.

I want to spend more quality time with my children. They are growing up so fast. I need to take time every day to spend with them, teaching them, loving them and giving them my undivided attention. This is hard for me. i have a million things i want to and need to do. Even 10 minutes each. This is a must.

I am a mother, a wife, an artist and a teacher. I'm a lover, a friend, a christian and a daughter. I work, play, teach, and care for those around me. My prayer is that i be the best that i can be, in all that I do. I look ahead to 2008 with hope, expectation and anticipation! My prayer for the coming year is this...
Keep my family safe and healthy.
Keep us together and close.
Be with us, protect us and love us.
Guide us in your will.

Here's to 2008...