Let's give thanks...2012

As the new year yawns and opens it's sleepy eyes, ready to start fresh, I am looking back at 2012 to give thanks, and forward with excitement.  There are so many great things that happened in 2012, so many wonderful memories made, so many things to thank God for.  There have of course been hiccups and worries, but I like to focus on the positive. Let's start with the biggest and best thing that happened last year.

Giving birth to the most amazing beautiful little boy that was ever created!  I have always felt like I was put on this earth to be a mother and it finally came true for us.  I was built to make and have babies, and if they were all as easy as AJ then I would have a million more.  His first 9 months were crazy amazing, and I can't wait for hundreds more!

Our first year of marriage.  Dave and I are actually approaching our 7 year anniversary of having met, but September 10th was our 1st anniversary of marriage.  I hope that every one of the next 50 years with him is as great as our 1st one was.  He is my best friend, and it gets more and more creepy every time we realize that we are slowly melding into the same person.  Not really, but we are very similar.  We have gotten really good at compromising when needed, and respecting each other enough to let one another grow.  I am amazed every day that someone could love me as much as he does, I have a hard enough time loving myself that much.  He is such an amazing father and smart guy, I am so lucky!

Our growing friendship with the Oakes.  Colleen and I have been friends for a little over 2 years now, but I seriously feel like I have known her for my whole life.  You know when you meet someone as an adult and you wish that you have met as kids?  That's us.  Colleen and I always have such great conversations, I feel like we can talk about anything and everything, and we do.  It's an easy friendship where you don't have to try anymore and your closets are a little mixed together :)  Dave has become good friends with Ryan as well, they have a guys game night every other Friday night, which is good for Dave, he needs more guy time.  Ryan thinks Dave is hilarious, which is good for his ego. We shared with them some of our favorite things, like Rockies baseball.  They shared some of theirs with us, like Battlestar Gallactica.   They are AJ's Godparents, because we know and trust that they will guide him should anything happen to us.  I am so thankful for their friendship.

And of course, I am thankful for my parents.  They are so amazing and supportive and giving!  Living so close to them has been such a blessing to us and to AJ.  He is the first of many grandchildren for them I'm sure, and they could not love him  more.  They are so good to him and to us.

A few things that I am looking forward to in 2013.

Taking AJ to meet my Grandma in Nevada.  We are planning our first family trip for possibly March, and I am really looking forward to AJ meeting Dodo, his first vacation and airplane trip.  Dave and I love Vegas, (not for gambling, we just do) and it's about time for a little getaway.

I'm praying for a new job opportunity for Dave.  He is a very hard worker, and so smart and driven, so he needs a job that will push him to be better, instead of the mindless crap he does now.

We are planning on more family, waiting with open arms for God to decide that it's time for our next little one.  AJ needs a sibling, so he doesn't get too spoiled, and we're praying for maybe a cousin too.

I pray for health and happiness for all of my friends and family, be good to one another and love each other as God commanded.  I hope each of your lives will be as filled with love as mine is.