Recaps and Resolutions

I can't believe that 2010 is over (or that my computer is highlighting my text in blue)! We had a fun year and it went by way to fast! Here is a recap of the highlights from the Horn's in 2010.

In January we had a HUGE snowstorm. School was canceled for about a week and Jason was off work. I fashoned what I like to call "The Redneck Snowsuit" for Andrew to wear and stay dry in the snow.
In February we took our first family of four (plus Gracey dog) trip to Gaston's. It was a very relaxing weekend and it proved to me that we could take two kids on a trip by ourselves. We hope to continue this tradition every year!

I was able to accompany Jason on a business trip to Lake Tahoe for a couple of days. I relaxed in the hotel spa. It was fantastic!

In March Madelyn was dedicated at our church with most of our family present. It was another HUGE snowstorm that everyone braved to travel up our way for Miss Madelyn! It was a very special day.

March also marks my job change as director of the preschool at our church. It was a welcomed change for me, because I can be apart of the kid's lives every day, even when I'm working. We are truly thankful for God's blessing he poured out with this opportunity!

In April we celebrated Easter! We had a great church service, followed by lunch at our house. We died Easter eggs, but Gracey ate them all during the night!

In May we bought the double stroller. You know you've got your hands full when this becomes a necessity!

In June we took our family vacation to California! We went to Disneyland, Sea World, The San Diego Zoo, and the beach. We met Mimi and Grandad out there and also got to visit Emily. It was a fun time! I can't wait for this year's vacation!

July was spent doing a lot of swimming and playing outside! The kid's spent quite a few days at Mimi and Grandad's while I got things ready for school to start.

School started back in August and it has just been wonderful for all of us! We feel so at home at our church and with the people that we are around each day. I am so happy that the kids have wonderful teachers who love them and care for them! Most of all, I'm happy to be there with them every day!

We said "farewell" to Jason's appendix during a shocking visit to the doctor one Wednesday afternoon!

Andrew turned 3 in September! We celebrated with a big Sesame Street birthday party in the gym at our church. I cannot believe that this baby is 3 years old! I love this boy more and more each day! It is such a joy to watch him grow and see him learning so many things!

In October we went on our annual pumpkin patch trip! I love the fall and everything that comes along with it...Razorback football, pumpkin pie, cooler weather, chili, taco soup...

We celebrated Grandma Horn's 90th birthday and got a chance to spend some quality time with the Horn family. We are anxious to spend more time with them in the coming year!

Little Sister had her first birthday in November! I am amazed at how time flew by! She is just the sweetest little one and has such a kind and gentle personality- with a great determination to do what she needs to do! I love watching her grow into a "little girl"!

Oh yeah, I turned 29 in November...but, no one remembered seeing as it's the day after M's bday, so I'm actually going to forever be 27 since that's the age I was when she was born and no one remembered my bday last year either! Except for the nurses at the hospital who had it on their computers! Ha!

Jason and I also took a trip to Washington DC. It was great to get away by ourselves!

We celebrated Thanksgiving and had many blessings to be thankful for!

Jason got a promotion at work! We were very excited about it! God's timing is perfect! Jason has enjoyed his new responsibilities very much. We are so blessed to each have jobs that we truly enjoy.

Oh, and the kids both got tubes and Andrew got his adenoids out. November, I think, could have been a year in itself!

And here we are on Christmas Eve! What a fun month December was, filled with Christmas programs, parties, and activities! It was great to get to see our family that we don't always get a chance to see. I loved watching Andrew enjoy the Christmas season and learn about baby Jesus! It was so exciting to hear him tell us about baby Jesus and the nativity. I loved hearing him sing his Christmas songs about going to Bethlehem and performing in the preschool program. I can't wait until next year for Madelyn to understand what Christmas is all about and see her response.

As I am typing this, I'm realizing just how fast this year has gone by! I am amazed at how much Andrew and Madelyn have grown from January until now. I am proud of the changes that they have made and the milestones they have reached. My heart is filled with such joy to see them growing up knowing and loving Jesus! I am also pleased that we made it through this year without many difficulties and that I kept my sanity...for the most part! Having two kids this close in age is really a challenge! I have such high expectations for myself as a mother and sometimes it comes down to just appreciating life as it is, instead of as I think it should be. I'm also re-thinking the title of this post, because all of my resolutions totally contridict the aforementioned statement! Ha!

I will leave you with my-lengthy-list of new year's resolutions. Please remember, these are coming from a perfectionist who has a TOUCH of add and ocd! Ha!

1. Be On Time (maybe this one should be in all caps!)- I am never on time for anything anymore. I used to be on time, if not early, all the time. Now, I am always 10-15 minutes later than I should be. I've even convinced myself that it's alright to be this late. Andrew has started saying "are we late, mommy?" every time we get in the car!

2. Decorate/update my house- I have several projects that I want to complete around the house. I have a typed up list for each room and what I want to do in it. Along with a list of what I need to buy to accomplish my goals and an estimated timeline and budget (note the ocd & add). I know that we're going to be in this house for quite a while (which is fine, because I love this house) and I want to make it feel more homey!

3, Be smart with our finances- budget better, pay off anything and everything, put more into savings, etc. etc. etc. This one is boring, but it's also necessary- in my opinion!

4. Teach Andrew to be obedient- reward his good behavior, give him a "chore chart" with responsibilities that he is able to do and have him earn an allowance when he does those things. I want him to understand what it means to obey and why we do it. I also want to be consistent and fair in disciplining him.

5. Read 1-2 books a month- I just enjoy reading and I think it's important for me to do something that I enjoy. I feel like a lot of times I am just engulfed in what the kids are doing or want me to be doing for them. Granted, this is my job (and the greatest/hardest job I'll ever do), but I need to have some sort of something that is just for me!

So, those are the goals for 2011! If it goes as fast as 2010, you'll have an update on how this went in no time! I hope that everyone has a great year!