Reflecting on 2011, and outlook on 2012!

As this last year finally closed in on me, it made me ponder “Where in the world did it go?” Years used to drift by, but now that I have an overwhelming amount of things going on in life it seems to speed by in the blink of an eye; that can be nice… in all parts besides the kids’ part, another year goes by and Graysen has grown a ton!

2011 was brought in with my husband, Graysen and my mom. She was here visiting and actually left on New Year’s Day. Brandon and I went to Ruth’s Chris for dinner to celebrate our Anniversary (a few days early) and New Year’s. Then we went over to a friend’s house to enjoy the ball drop! This last year has defiantly had it’s up and downs; but the ups have taken over as they usually do! A few highlights of the year…

Spring semester was a very hard semester for me, but I kept my 4.0. That semester was more about me learning how to….learn! I have a tough time in school because reading something doesn’t do anything for me… I’m more of a visual/hands on learner so when it comes to Labs I’m GREAT, but when it comes to lecture classes…. Forget it! It can take me 4 hours just to read one 20 page chapter and take notes on it, and even then I can’t tell you what I just read. Thankfully I’ve finally gotten in a groove and it has helped me with the rest of the semesters!

In March I joined a VERY good friend of mine, Laycie in Hawaii. We had a blast, but really it was a great time just catching up with her. I’m very bad about keeping in touch with people, and with her busy schedule as mine, it’s almost impossible but we make do, and I’m very thankful for the friendship I have with her! We got to enjoy the island of Kauai, and also be in another Tsunami; thankful for us, nothing drastic happened to Hawaii but those in Japan will forever be in our thoughts, we ended our vacation tossing our lei’s  to the sea in remembrance of those lost.

March was also the month Brandon had his ACL surgery. It wasn’t as crazy as we had planned, he was a trouper and was able to walk out of the hospital, and still take care of Graysen while I was in school! It healed great, and has little problems with it!

May, I finished my fall semester and decided to take summer classes so I could keep getting credits, and not slack! I only had one on-line class and one class that I attended, overall a pretty easy semester! In between semesters we went down to NC to visit family, always a fun trip!

July I went down to Myrtle Beach for the first time. I was helping a friend by getting her daughter down there for a competition and decided to stay and enjoy some time at the beach. I didn’t explore too much but I do hope that I can go back down there with Brandon and enjoy some time together there! I made it home by July 4^th to spend time with the family.. even though we didn’t end up doing anything since it was rainy and Graysen is still a little young for all of that! That month was also when I got a letter saying I was not accepted into the nursing program, with no reason given. Instead of trying to figure out why I just let it go.

August was our trip to Missouri and Colorado. Since I lived in Hawaii I had been saying I needed to go to MO to visit my grandmother and it kept getting put off… time after time! I finally decided that it needed to happen, and we made the arrangements and I am SO happy that I did! Graysen loved her GG, and we had a great visit. We headed to CO with limited time in Denver. Since CO is where I grew up it’s always nice to go back, but each year you see those who care to see you and those who don’t. Ever since I lived in HI I truly found out those who care, and yet again, those who don’t. I’ve learned to respect that, and move on with it, therefore I hold little conversation with those I was once so close with. While in Denver I did see my closest friend Jennifer, we stayed with her and her family. We also saw a few people at the Denver zoo. I was hoping for a nice big turnout, to reconnect and see the new generation (and the almost new generation!) but it didn’t happen that way.  It still turned out wonderful! I got to see my Byers crew J I’m so happy I got to see them again and meet (some for the first time) their kiddos! We also got to spend time with my good friend Liz. She helped us get up the mountain and stayed for a day so we could spend time with her and Trevor!  We had a great time up in Maybell with my mom, Graysen enjoyed herself, and did great with the traveling and still working on her potty training! When we got home it was time for Graysen to turn 2!!! I had planned a big party at our house for a certain weekend. With school and everything going on it was the only weekend I could get it done, not knowing we were going to have a bit ole’ Hurricane that weekend! Brandon’s Dad and step mom had made it up here the day before so we decided no matter what we were still going to have her birthday party, even if no one could come, just the way it had to be. Because of the wind and the strong rain very little people made it but it was best that way, she had a wonderful birthday! Brandon’s Mom and step dad made it, our wonderful friends Steve and Melissa and our close neighbors came. We had MORE than enough food to feed everyone and Graysen had more than enough attention given to her!

GG and Graysen!

Being super lazy at the zoo!

My family

Elizabeth and I with our little ones

September Brandon and I did our first 5k run with each other!  It was in honor of those lost during September 11^th, so it was a wonderful run! I didn’t walk and that was basically by goal! It was a great time and a great weekend with our friends. Angie, Pat and Johnny watched Graysen for us and we all went to breakfast afterward! The Jardina’s also spent that weekend with us at the carnival and concert/fireworks!  I believe September was the month I talked to a counselor and found out why I didn’t get excepted into the nursing program, and with a few corrections and it taken up to the nursing board I was accepted into the March program! That was a wonderful Birthday present! The entire fall semester my focus was to learn how to prioritize. I was doing great in school but I was leaving my family on the side burner!  That being the first full time semester I’ve had it was a good way to learn to still have fun and still get my work done, and I did just that!

November and December were full of house projects and seeing family. They were both great months!!

The whole year is almost a blur! Graysen has gotten so big and has come so far with her personality and learning. She impresses me every day! I’ve had a few “family drama’s”… but that is life, I am proud of my mom for the hard decisions she’s been having to make, but I think she is improving her life and I can’t wait to see her happy and better off this next year!



Start of 2011




End of 2011 What a difference in Graysen!



As that is said this next year is going to be a tough one. I start the nursing program, but we are very lucky and thankful to have my mom come move in with us. She is going to help us with Graysen and the house while I’m in school full time during the days. I’ve already started school for the semester but I’m taking two extra classes while in the nursing program. I’m slowly trying to get all my prereqs done to be able to transfer to a university once I get my Associate degree and my RN license to get my bachelors. That is my short term goal for now, so we’ll see how this next year goes for me and my family. I’m looking forward to this year, and the next ones! I will try to do a little better with the updates as well!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!