Looking Back on 2012

We were challenged at church this past Sunday to look back on 2012, to think about the good along with the bad. I decided to take this challenge and to look back on 2012....

I was pretty positive after the year that my family had in 2011 that we were done with that dreaded "C" word and cancer would no longer be a word that we would use in my family. Before we could make it half way through January I was shown how wrong I would be and yet again the strength of me and my family was put to the test. Nana was diagnosed almost a year to the day when Pa was and we were in for a new list of challenges. After some pretty rough radiation and chemo treatments we ended out this year with a happy and healthy Nana who is CANCER FREE and we plan on keeping her that way!

Jayden turned 4 years old this year and began her soccer career. She began playing for upward in the spring and then played her second season in the fall. Teaching her that it is ok to take the ball playing soccer but not ok to take things from people in real life...yeah that was challenging. I saw a little girl who wanted to play nice and let everyone have their turn run out on that field last March and then I watched that little girl transform into a competitive player who scored the most goals on her team for their fall season.

 

 

On top of soccer Jayden danced in her 1st dance recital with Douglasville School of Dance. She did wonderful! The little girl who I was sure would be nervous up on the stage infront of everyone I think was the loudest child in her class. She's quite the little dancer, although she liked dance classes, hip hop is definately more her style. She loves to dance and move with her favorite music. 

 

 

 

 

Jayden wrapped up her 2nd year at Central Baptist Church Mother's Morning out and then began Pre-K at Winston Christian Academy in Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Serina's class. She left Central writing her name and those skills have grown tremendously. At my parent/teacher conference in December, I was told that Jayden is ready to begin reading and is ahead of her class with her skills.

 

 



I have learned a lot about myself this year. I have been strong when I didn't think I could handle anything else, I have loved like I never knew I could love, and I have learned about true friendships and that those never die.

 June 29, 2012 marked the 1 year since Pa died and there were times that I haven't known what else to do but cry about things and there have been days that I would give anything to just see him, but truth is...I have made it. My family has made it, we have missed him greatly but we have picked ourselves up and we have made it. I found the strength this year to go and visit his grave. I didn't think that I would ever go visit, I didn't think I could, but I did. I even took Jayden down there 1 night so that she could see where Pa was and could talk to him.

Over the past year I have spent it with my best friend, the man that I love like I didn't know possible, and the man that I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with. We have endured some challenging times together, some definate ups and downs but regardless we have made it. We are still together and our love is stronger daily. I couldn't imagine a better person for me, a male figure for Jayden, and a friend.

I have learned as I have gotten older that it's not about how many friends I have but to cherish the close friendships that I have. I have the best group of friends who are all over the place. Each of them have something special about them, and each are different but each of them fit perfectly in my life and are cherished.

All in all 2012 was a great year! I have learned a lot about myself and even though there was ups and downs I ended this year with the people I love and can't wait to see with 2013 has in store for us.

 

A Few More Pictures from 2012.....