A new year

It's a new year which leads me to ponder on how it is a time to make changes to improve one's self.  I don't like making "resolutions".  I tend to be a bit of a flake when it comes to sticking to them.  Not because I can't make changes or that I don't want to do or be better, but because I am so forgetful.  I get caught up in life.  I spend way too much time taking care of my family and I get lost in what I am doing.  I'm not an adult with ADD either, I think I'm more pre-alzheimer.  Anyway, this year I've decided not to make any "resolutions", but rather to look back on the year and find ways to be more positive about my life experiences.

This year, we were able to see one of our good friends beat cancer!  We were all worried about him, and he has horrible scars to remind him of his scare, but he is cancer free.  He also got married and is expecting his 6th baby soon.  That was a great thing.

Jaxson kept us all busy learning how to roll, sit up, crawl, walk, drink from a cup, and so many other things.

Jordan had a birthday and turned 12.  She is almost 13 now!  That meant she was able to go to the temple and do baptisms for the first time.  She is officially a babysitter which is a huge help to our family!  She was also inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.  Oh yeah, and she got braces!

Levi lost and grew in two front teeth.  He also came in second in the ward pinewood derby!  He started piano lessons, and he is growing way too fast.

Tristan has become best friends with his little baby brother.  He really enjoys making him happy and taking care of him.  He got to start pre-school and we are finding that he is a smart kid if he applies himself and takes a break from the video games!

Taylor was able to have her surgery on her knee so she can finally be active without worrying about falling down in pain all the time.  She has recovered better than anticipated, so all those medical bills were worth paying!  She got to take an awesome vacation to Hawaii as well.  We are grateful she has a job to pay for things like that.

Mike and I have been able to spend a lot of time with our kids this year and we have learned to love them even more (is that even possible?).  We were able to spend more time with my family this year too.

All in all, it has been a great year.  We have had ups and downs, fun times and downright boring times!  Looking back on it all, I see where we have improved.  We are spending more time together doing things that matter.  We are trying harder to be better.  We will continue on in our journey to be a forever family.  My goal this year is to not wait til the year is out to find the positive in my life, but to find it in the here and now.  My goal is to bring more joy into my own life, and share that joy with my family.