Happy 2012!

2012 already? Why am I always amazed at how quickly time is passing? 2011 was a personally difficult year in a lot of ways, but I will remember the last few months especially as the time when Jack really grew into his own. After years of worry, anxiety, and bewilderment about our boy, I am so pleased and proud that he has grown into such a wonderful, sweet little man. I have never enjoyed him more, and NOW is the time that I wish I could slow down and really savor.

Other highlights from the year include:

• My baby girl turned 1 this year, and my baby boy turned 5.
• We had wonderful trips to Disneyland, Germany, Alaska, and the Bay Area.
  
• Violet learned to walk and is talking up a storm.
  
• Jack made such progress in learning how to swim, ride his bike, and read. I'm so proud of him, and he's so proud of himself.
  
• We started Jack on golf lessons this year, and he loves them. It's so fun to see him do something he really enjoys.
  
• I took up crocheting again after a years-long hiatus. I'm quite proud of some of my creations. Maybe some will soon be featured in a blog post near you.

Things to look forward to this year:

• Jack starting kindergarten - eek!
  
• Violet sleeping through the night. I know I said that last New Year's, but alas, it did not happen in 2011. I am confident we will figure it out this year.
• We don't have any big trips planned just yet, but I may get my first kids-free "staycation" this summer. I am both excited and nervous about it.
• Jack starting piano lessons and Little League baseball. Something will probably have to give between those and golf, but we'll see how it goes before we make any decisions.

Funny enough, I just read a bunch of friends' blogs who say they don't like making New Year's resolutions. I love making resolutions. I make them throughout the year anyway, but I enjoy the ritual of doing it on the first day of the year, too. This year, I resolve to:

• Finally hire a housekeeper. I have such weird issues about this. I don't like the loss of control that comes with having strangers in my home. I told a friend of mine, I'm too OCD to hire a cleaner but not OCD enough to clean my house myself. It's a terrible combination. But obviously doing it all on our own hasn't been working for us, so I'm going to bite the bullet and see if outside help will make a difference.
• Not make any resolutions involving photo or video archival. I will get to it when I get to it, and I am no longer going to feel guilty about it.
• Change up my exercise routine a bit. I'm finding less time to exercise than I've had in the past, and I need to find ways to incorporate it more into my daily routine rather than waiting until the evening when I'm tired and more likely to skip it.
• Reduce my "screen time" (this means you, computer) and get back into reading books again.
• Take quiet time to pray or meditate. I find when I do this, I do feel better and happier overall. I need to make a conscious decision to make this something I do on a regular basis.

Happy New Year, everyone!