As 2011 draws to a close, I, like so many other bloggers, have been reflecting over the year as a whole. Perusing. Contemplating. Deleting. Cringing. Smiling. Laughing. Giggling. Sharing.
Remembering.
In that vein, I'd like to share some photos + words on the most memorable moments of 2011. While this past year can be most aptly characterized as challenging, in many ways 2011 also brought a multitude of happy, positive, wonderful and exciting opportunities. After culling through my daily planner, iCalendar and thousands of photographs, I humbly offer the Best of 2011.
10. Hilton Head, South Carolina
Good friends + beach + continuing medical education = funnest business trip ever!
9. The "Dream" Journey
For the past 12 months, my One Little Word has been dream. This word has guided much of my thoughts and reflections in 2011. Each month I completed specific prompts, participated in a blog hop and spent a great amount of mental energy identifying and documenting my dreams. One of the things I felt was so special about this journey was that it was devoted to my dreams - not dreams for my family, not dreams for my marriage or my husband, just my dreams. I have found in my life and heard from many others that women have a particularly difficult time focusing on themselves. It has certainly been true in my life. I loved how easy it was to spend a few hours focused on me. I am very excited to see where my dreams are going in 2012...I will be revealing my OLW for 2012 tomorrow morning as part of the OLW Blog Hop. Be sure to check back at 10:00am CST!
8. This Boy's Smile
Although he has had his share of struggles in 2011, this amazing, talented, creative, loving boy has brought me so much joy. His smile is infectious. His zest for life is inspiring. He helps me see the little things, the small every day details that add up to a full and happy life. He makes me feel warm and fuzzy.
7. Reconnecting
I feel blessed to have reconnected with extended family...just in time for a very special 90th birthday.
6. A Visit From The East
We were so excited to host Jim's sister and family this past July. It is the first time they've come to Nebraska since Jim and I married. We explored the city, discovering new places together and sharing old favorites. One of my fondest memories is straddling the state line between Iowa and Nebraska while standing atop the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge and marveling at the flood waters that were so prevalent this spring.
5. This Girl
Jim & I are so lucky. We have the absolute best circle of friends, both as a couple and as individuals. Deana has been my best friends since we met when I was 18 years old. That we've remained so close is a miracle. That we've celebrated birthdays and holidays with each others' families is a gift. That we are godparents to each others' children is a wonder. That we've spent the majority of 2011 laughing is the greatest thing of all.
4. My Mother
The more years go by, the greater my appreciation for my mother. She is my everything.
3. October in Hong Kong
This trip to visit friends in Hong Kong was the highlight of the year.
2. This Man
Jim is the best thing that ever happened to me. I say a little prayer for this man every day. He is everything that a husband should be. He is my partner, my lover and my very best friend.
1. Graduation Day
I have never felt prouder than when my son received his high school diploma. He worked so hard and at times it seemed as if he would never reach the stage. But he never gave up. When several of his friends dropped out or decided the getting a GED would be easier, he stayed the course. Even when he was sad. Even when he was unsure of the future. Even when he was ready to rip out his hair in frustration. He never gave up. This says so much about his heart and his level of determination. This says so much about who he really is. This says so much about his intelligence and abilities. He never gave up.
I hope that each of you had moments to celebrate in 2011. I hope each of you learned something valuable in 2011. I hope each of you laughed and cried, sang and danced, read and wrote, created art and let go of trouble in 2011.
And I wish you the very best as we prepare for 2012. Happy New Year.
I've been doing a bit of reflecting on this past holiday season - this past year really. There were so many lovely moments and a few things that stressed me out, but overall I am left with so much gratitude.
I am grateful for my husband. As I've mentioned before, my husband is, ahem, enthusiastic about Christmas. This is such a blessing to me. Every year, we not only host a holiday party/birthday party for moi, but also host my extended family for celebration on Christmas Eve. This season, both events were totally successful. We added an extra element to the holiday party this year but having a "Mad Men"-themed party. It was quite glamorous, with family and friends alike dressing in retro '60s fashion. Here we are, looking both lovely and in love:
I am grateful for my son. As some of you may be aware, my son is battling with substance abuse issues. I am so proud of him. He is still struggling, but he is taking responsibility for his choices. He is working to stay sober, though not always succeeding. He is living life honestly, sometimes asking for help, more often than not avoiding those who could most help him but always being truthful about his choices. Believe me when I say, this is a major change and has gone a long way toward mending our little family. The truth is a soothing peace in this case, even when I know he has relapsed I am so grateful for the truth. He is addressing his legal problems with courage and grace. It is so, so hard...standing by and watching him battle his demons is the most difficult thing I have ever done. But all of that seemed somehow removed this Christmas. This Christmas he was affectionate, funny, sweet, helpful and comfortable in his own skin. He joked and laughed with family. He shared loving sentiments. He was generous and wonderful. We love him so much.
I am grateful for my job. I work outside of our home - and I love it. I am a physician assistant, working for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Each time I go to work, I encounter people who have served bravely, served loyally, served compassionately, served without reservation, served humbly, just served. I am blessed in that every day I am able to give back. I am pictured below with a World War II veteran, Bill, who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. I'd like to thank him again for sharing his amazing story, as well as permission to use his photograph on my blog.
I am grateful for family and friends. I am amazed by the support that has been offered to us over this past year - which has, frankly, been a bit more arduous journey than in years past. I have not come close yet to understanding all the ways that we are changed as a family, I am changed as an individual...but I am quite certain that we could not have done it without the support of our family and friends. I am particularly thankful for our mothers.
I am grateful for each and every breath. I have severe asthma. This past year has also been a challenge on the health front. I have been hospitalized several times, struggling to get and stay well. I have been alternatively hopeful and frustrated. At this moment, the entire year seems like a repetitive cycle of illness and (relative) health. I am really struggling with these limitations right now...but I have hope for the future.
I am grateful for my dreams. For 2011, my one little word has been dream. I've blogged monthly about my dreams using prompts from Ali Edwards' One Little Word class at Big Picture Classes. You can read all my previous posts related to OLW here. I have really grown comfortable with the word dream. In fact, I am even more certain now than one year ago that this word chose me. Between the stress of our family situation and the limitations of my health, much of this last year has been spent in meditation and contemplation, allowing me to fully flesh out my dreams. I have great plans for the coming year to take action on these dreams. I am quite excited about it.
I am grateful for you, dear readers. I look forward to sharing the coming year with you.
This month's 10 on the 10th captures 10 moments of this summer that I want to remember. Always.
I want to remember how blessed I am to witness the bgeinnings of a deep friendship between the daughters of two of my best firneds. There is something beautiful and meaningful in the continuity and interweaving of mothers and daughters.
I want to remember how lucky I am to have such a wonderful mother. I'm totally enjoying watching her with her grandchildren. My only child recently graduated fromhigh school. When he was younger, I was too overwhelmed with struggling to find my own parenting style and too insecure to appreciate all the insight that my mother had to offer. My brother and his wife married young but waited several years to have children. I love how relaxed I am with my niece and nephew. I can see now how amazing my mother is - and was - with children.
I want to remember all the warmth, laughter, adventure, exploration, giggles, hugs and love that we shared with Jim's sister and family. Good times.
I want to remember the scarifices made by all of the servicemen and servicewomen so that I can live in a country where I am free.
I want to remember how wonderful it is to have a group of women friends who exemplify everything that is right about being a woman.
I want to remember how much I love this young man, how scared I am about the changes coming our way and how hard it is to let go...
I want to remember how much I adore this man. He is my everything.
I want to remember the free and easy feeling of relaxing by the pool. I want to remember that I had the courage to put on a swimming suit, even when I thought I was too fat. I want to remember how cleansing it feels to dive into the cold water. I want to remember going off the diving board and doing handstands under the water.
I want to remember experiencing the magic of the musical Wicked with these fabulous people.
I want to remember the sounds of a ballpark in the summer.
What do you want to remember this summer?
PS If you want to see more 10 on the 10th, check out Shimelle's blog here.
I've taken a couple of months off from blogging this summer to concentrate a bit more on family and spending one last summer with Grand Master B before he graduates from high school. But I am ready for my return to the blogosphere. And I have many wonderful things to share.
For now, check out this amazing typeset by Jonny Wan. I love this colorful, ornate lettering. Thanks to Courtney at designworklife initially posting this awesomeness!
I am still filled with joy and laughter from the lovefest last weekend that was Grand Master B's welcome home barbecue. There was just so much support from family and friends, our adult friends of course but also B's own close friends. It is amazing to see the progress that he has made this past year. But it was also incredibly moving to see such outward support and pride for his accomplishments from his own peers. And B did such a good job of interacting with everyone. He did not isolate himself with just his friends. He sat and had conversations with his family, from the younger cousins to his great-grandparents. He was open and inviting. He joked with my girlfriends and entertained the children out in the backyard. So many people mentioned how happy he looked...and I couldn't agree more. It was truly a celebration of him.
My immediate family was there (of course) but aunts, uncles, cousins, godmothers and grandparents made an appearance as well. It was exciting and moving to meet a new member of our family, Princess P. She is 5 years old and is a complete angel. My first cousin just recently found out he was a father. This is the first extended family event that she has attended. We are so glad that she is a part of our life now!
My uncle Jimmy provided the meat, a fantastic smoked pulled pork, from his kickin' restaurant Boxer Barbecue in Council Bluffs. We served his homemade sauces with the meat, both a sweet thick sauce and a thinner smoky sauce with a vinegar base, on a plain hamburger bun. My good friend Laura made a cabbage slaw that complemented the meat perfectly. I put mine atop the meat/sauce but lots of folks ate it on the side. Special thanks to Grandma for mac salad and salsa, Mom for amazing potato salad and beans, Deana for making deviled eggs and cupcakes, Michele for pasta salad, Denise for fruit salad, Kozy and the Molinas for veggie trays, the Hagstrom's for ice and Jones for my very own jalapeno plant.
So I apologize for my absence over the past week but I am have really been enjoying having Grand Master B around 24/7 and, I'll admit, it has taken some transitioning to become a fully functioning mama again. But so worth it. We had a really lovely barbecue in honor of his return home and to celebrate his accomplishments last weekend. More on this later...
I thought I'd share the introductory page from my art journal. I have been really attracted to this concept for while but just hadn't taken any steps to start. Then I discovered Tell Your Story, a guided class on just this subject. The teachers, Elsie and Rachel, share tips, techniques and journaling prompts every day for 6 weeks. I am feeling so energized in just what we've done in the past 3 days. This class is just the thing I needed, plus I feel developing a daily habit of journaling every day is both helpful in my creative journey AND necessary for my ongoing mental health.
I used this first page as a means to explore the many roles I play, issues and fears I am dealing with right now, trivia and tidbits about me and celebrating all that is wonderful in my life, this very minute. I painted the background with my absolute favorite aqua acrylic which gives it just the light and breezy feel I was trying to portray. Aqua just makes me happy. Then I taped down a piece of my personalized stationary for the journaling card. I used colored mists, chipboard, letters and a paperclip to build on the theme. I really love this.
I will be sharing some of the pages from my art journal over the next few weeks, as well as other items of crafty goodness. And I will share photos and stories of B's welcome home BBQ later tonight or tomorrow. Til then... Happy Wednesday, America.
Just a quick check in to let you know we are alive and well. Having Grand Master B home is filling my heart to overflowing. I am so happy. I am also exhausted. This week has been full of meetings, appointments, more meetings, organizing, cleaning, worrying, rejoicing, gratitude and exhaustion. And we have a boat load of painting to look forward to on Saturday.
Anyway, you can all look forward to a return to regular blogging next week. This week I am documenting my Week in the Life project along with Ali Edwards and hundreds of other crafty ladies. Next week I'll share some of the words + pictures from this week in my life.
The day has finally arrived! Grand Master B is home. This is what I think every single time I see his smile.
We are working like mad to clean, organize and repaint his bedroom, and this has sparked a frenzy of activity to organize the rest of the house, too. Believe me, Jim & I both have so many things that need to find another home. So it's Project Organization around here. I'll be back Monday night with an update...and maybe even a picture or two.
Grand Master B has completed the residential portion of his treatment program and is coming home to stay this weekend! We are so excited and proud and happy and anxious and completely overjoyed... You get the picture. All of the sadness, all of the distance, all of the separation was worth it. I am convinced more than ever that hope is truly my little word for this year... Looking at him, knowing how hard he's worked, seeing all that he's accomplished just restores my belief in the power of hope.
I am trying to blog more regularly but I haven't quite got into a rhythm yet. So when I was planning out the next couple of days, a new blog post was on my list...but it wasn't at the top of the list. I completed a medico legal report for a court case that I'm consulting on; I did a little spring cleaning and laundry; I enjoyed a lovely lunch with Mr. Jimmy; I finished a couple of scrapbook pages for my class; and I've been thinking deep thoughts about creativity.
whew... So, somewhere in there were thoughts about my blog post, more specifically a post on personal creativity. But those moodlings are still in an infant stage and not yet ready for publication. And then one of the first things I read this morning was this post by Gretchen Rubin outlining tips to help you tackle your "to-do" list. One thing that really struck home with me was this: It's actually easier to blog every day than it is to blog two or three times per week. Daily blogging instills consistency, provides opportunity for creative expression and develops a sense of commitment. These are good things, right? I think so, too and I am already on board with the concept. And, then, my good friend Mrs. Baker sends me an email broadly hinting that my blog is in need of a new post...which is not only true but also very sweet. It's good to know that someone out there enjoys my meandering.
Sometimes you just have to accept that the universe in sending you a message.
I am in for daily blogging.
Tonight I leave you with a recent page I created for my wedding album. I got married nearly two years ago and the book is probably two-thirds complete. Let's not even get into that level of procrastination, shall we? Tomorrow, I'll be sharing another crafty project. And Friday, look for some high falutin' thoughts on creativity. Let me know if there's a topic you'd like to see in the future.
click to see larger image
PS Grand Master B is just doing amazing! He came home for Easter last weekend and will be back again this weekend. And we're in the midst of finalizing his transition to return home for good. So many wonderful things in our family's future!
Jim left yesterday for a week-long trip to Florida with his best pal McGraw. They are in Florida to check out spring training...yes, that would be baseball, specifically spring training for the St. Louis Cardinals. While some people might not find such a trip particularly attractive, for Jim this is a boyhood dream come true. Spring training, baby! Who knows - maybe he will end up playing major league ball? And while he enjoys the Cardinals, his heart belongs to the New York Mets...who just happen to train right up the road from the Cardinals. It's Christmas in Jimbo-ville, folks...
So, not only an I left at home alone but also I have to wonder if he'll ever come back. Good thing, he's a prince among men. I am sure that he'll come home...but it looks to be a lonely few days around the home front. But Grand Master B will be coming for an overnight visit on Saturday and we will be taking care of Mr. Sam & Princess Izzy as well. I am really looking forward to a full house.
Since I am thinking so much of Jim, I thought I'd share one of my favorite pages celebrating the man.
I am so excited that Grand Master B will be coming home for the weekend! We haven't seen him in two weeks & I've really been missing him. This whole 'sleep away school' concept is overrated...but I do see positive changes in his attitude and behavior which is the whole point. I will just be glad to have him healthy and back at home.
Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays. To celebrate B's visit, I am making a cool garland to hang over the doorway in the dining room. I am also making mini-books for both of the men in my life. When I talked to B on the phone yesterday, he told me that he had a present for me - which is nearly unheard of! I cannot wait to see what he has come up with. The design of my projects is complete. I plan on spending the rest of the afternoon putting it all together. I am also distributing cards & treat bags to the Bad Mommies plus children. Should be a totally great weekend.
Stay tuned. I'll post the finished products later. I'm using this as the base for my mini-books.
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