2011 Reflection

It's probably no surprise to you when I say that 2011 has been the best year of my life.  I'm willing to assume that it has been the best for Greg, too.  2011 FLEW by faster than any other year in my life.  To sum it up in one word, I am LUCKY.

On the morning of January 7th, before heading into work, I took a pregnancy test.  When the word "pregnant" appeared on the screen, I was shocked and elated!  That day at work I felt as if I was keeping the biggest and most important secret in the world.  It took all I had to keep the news to myself until the moment I could tell Greg when he returned home from work that evening.  I will never forget the look on Greg's face when I handed the test to him.  :)

Telling my parents was another happy memory that I will always remember.  It is so fun for me to have been able to give them a grandchild!  Their support during my pregnancy is something I feel so lucky to have had.  I was so excited that my mom was able to come to a few of my ultrasounds - particularly the one where we found out that we were having a boy.  I also think that from the moment I told my mom I was pregnant, every time I saw her she had a gift for the baby.  I'm so lucky to have the relationship with my parents that I do.

I also will always remember the tearful phone call I received from Greg's mom.  She is so emotional when it comes to her kids, and I just knew how happy she was for Greg to be a dad.  (Something I can finally relate to now that I have a son). 

My friends have also contributed to a great year.  Their interest and excitement in my pregnancy is something that was a bit unexpected, and so special to me.  The beautiful showers that were thrown for us was a definite highlight of the year.  The amount of love and attention to detail that went into them was amazing - I'm so thankful!  I also had 2 special friends of mine take photos of me/us this year to celebrate our pregnancy - photos that are now framed and hanging in our home and are cherished every single day.

I was lucky to have had a VERY easy pregnancy.  I was able to carry on with my life without too much interruption.  I might have complained here and there, but I know how lucky I was.  I am also happy with how my labor and delivery went.  Sure, I would have loved to have had it happen a little EARLIER...and maybe not take so LONG, but looking back on it I feel so lucky for how smoothly Ben was brought into the world.  I recovered quickly and was really able to enjoy those first few post-partum days.

One thing this year that was a little tough was Greg's ever-changing career path!  He started with a job he liked at the Post Office (but that was unfortunately a dead end considering the current state of the USPS), made a short stop at a sales job that was NOT the right fit for him, spent a few months back at trusty old Canyons - a company he has worked at for years (whether part time or full time), and finished the year by getting a job with Aramark, a job that we think and hope will be a long term position for him.  While I know all of the change was tough on Greg, I am so thankful for my hard-working husband.  Even when he hated what he was doing, Greg remained dedicated to showing up to work and working as hard as he could.  I am lucky that I can always trust that Greg will be there doing everything he can to support his family.  His work ethic is something I have always and continue to admire.

For me, the job front has remained consistent with my position at Impact Washington.  This coming February, will mark 7 years with my company.  My role there has evolved from a part time Administrative Assistant, to Operations Specialist, to my new position beginning in January - Small Business Consulting Manager.  The opportunities I have been given to grow, learn (including them paying for me to complete my BA), and be challenged are aspects of my job that I do not take for granted.  I am so thankful that since I am going to be going back to work, that I am returning to a job that I LOVE - that is providing me with the flexibility to be home with Ben 2 days a week.

I turned 30 this year!  THIRTY.  I feel so settled in my life right now, that I suppose 30 sounds about right.  I cannot even begin to relate to my 20 year old self these days!

This year has also been a year full of engagements, pregnancies and babies for the people in my life!  I have enjoyed celebrating all of these events and look forward to the weddings and babies that 2012 will bring!

So, finally - Ben.  As you have read on this blog, Ben had changed my entire world.  I continue to be so amazed that Ben is MY baby.  I would have picked him out of a million babies had I had the choice.  I know that ALL mothers feel this way about their babies, which just blows my mind!  With this amount of love in the world, how does the world have so many problems?  I will continue to try to put into words what I feel for this kid, but it will never be possible to express.  My life is filled with joy I never knew I was missing out on.

So to wrap up, 2011 goes down in my book as a whirlwind of love and happiness.  I'm so thankful for my little family of three and cannot wait to see what the new year brings to us. 

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog this year :)