That fleeting moment when you are trying to sleep through your stuffy nose and head cold, when you flip over and you can breath through BOTH nostrils at once before gravity takes over and the flood of snot shifts from one side to the other.
Another blogger that I read asked her audience to fill her in on what changed for them and their life in 2010. I have been thinking about this for a few days, trying to decide what had changed, not in my surroundings, because that is pretty obvious, but in my heart.
It is much harder to know the changes that can't be seen, and it takes some reflection to come up with an honest answer. I have spent a lot of 2010 floundering. I have felt a lot of internal conflict about my life, my work, my priorities and my purpose. I don't feel that I have gotten very far in coming to conclusions in those areas, and it has been frustrating for me, but a rewarding journey as I spend time trying to know myself better.
During the past year I have worked hard to live my values, and to find meaning in my life in the places and the times that I can control. Instead of arguing and stewing about political issues that bug me, I have volunteered in my community and given to the under served whenever possible. I have learned that living ones values is of much more importance than how one votes.
If I had to sum up my year, I certainly couldn't tie a nice satin bow on it and call it a completed chapter. It has been a year of growth, but not of maturity. For 2011 I have a lot of hopes. For my family, I hope for good health and time spent together and not taken for granted. For myself, I hope for better physical condition, improved professional clarity, fulfilling public service and I hope to become a better photographer and blogger. Happy New Year!
I realize that I still have a week and a half of memories to make during 2010, but I am feeling nostalgic so I wanted to hit on a few of my favorite moments from the past year.
2010 Started off with Cory and I and our lovely family hustling through the laundry list of house projects to complete before listing our house. We put the house up for sale by owner at the tail end of January and we moved out of the house in the middle of April
House for sale
During February my mom, sisters and I had a fun night out at the Roseanne Cash concert. I still think about that evening and what a blast it was!
Roseanne
I am embarrassed to realize that never blogged about the arrival of sweet Veda...likely because Thea was sick that weekend and we were distracted from the welcoming party, but definitely a top item from 2010 is Miss Veda Smith!
In May we had a fun outing with some of her closest friends. We took the kids bowling, and practically had the bowling alley to ourselves while we enjoyed each others company. Again, a total blast!
Bowling
We spent a sometimes challenging, but worth the adventure, summer in a rental condo while our house was being built. I had a great time enjoying my children and making the most of our last Mommy days before I returned to full time work.
Summer 2010
We had a wonderful family vacation filled with boating, bonding and relaxation.
Vacation
We went through another health scare with Cory's heart. Always a hard battle to fight, and one that leaves me counting my blessings and appreciating my life with my loving husband.
Cory's Episode
We finally saw the fruits of our labor, the long awaited new house finally became home! And I can't believe I haven't posted any final/moved in pictures...hmmm
House
Along with the gift of a new home, we also got a new little Howard! Mabel joined the party in October.
Mabel
This year has been a blur, but when I slow down the speed and take a look the memories, I have a lot of smile inducing pictures in my head, and on this blog.
One of my favorite verses. I read this earlier this week and I literally felt the tension leave my shoulders as I processed the words.
John 14:1-4
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God[; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.
This guy is the star of the show at the Coobs house. Nothing like dinner time entertainment watching Daddy try to catch chicken nuggets in his mouth!
For about a week leading up to Leila's program she made sure to remind Cory and I every day that she was going to sing very loud so that Santa would come at the end. I thought this was pretty funny considering this is the 3rd year of her Christmas performance, and Santa is always there but she has never cared. This year is a different ball game. Even though we have already visited with Santa at the mall and delivered the special toy requests I think she wanted to get some more face time with the big guy.
It was so sweet to see Leila up there doing her thing, she danced and sang like she does at home, with no regard for the crowd. Of course she had to stand near her buddy Clara!
Thea had to get in on the action and play with the big kids before the show started!
It seems like every day you amaze me in a new way. I remember when you were a tiny baby in my arms and watching your little brown eyes exploring the world around you would set my mind wondering what you could possibly be thinking about. Now I have the joy of your voice to fill me in on just what is going on in that little head of yours.
When it is my turn to tuck you in at night I like to lay down in your bed next to you and curl up under the covers. You like to ask me what the best part of my day was. Most of the time my answer has something to do with you and your sister. The worst part of my day is generally something related to my work. But you, my sweet girl always have a hard time deciding what the best part of your day was. Sometimes it is time spent at school with your friends, and sometimes it is the memory of a family activity. I love how no matter how rough of an evening we may have had, or how hard you fought us about trying your dinner, your answer to the question about the worst part of your day is nearly always, "My day didn't have a worst part, it was all good."
When I think about my life, and how things have changed over the last five years, the world is a totally different place to me, because you are in it. There is no worst part when I get to be your mama.
Love you baby girl.
This morning I was enjoying my family, and preparing lunch for my even bigger family with the Dixie Chicks as my soundtrack.
This is one of my favorite songs, from probably my favorite album ever, and it puts the happy in my melancholy mood. As hard as I find it to live in a world where so many people live with unmet needs and pain and heartache, I have some hope.
'Cause our children are watching us
They put their trust in us
They're gonna be like us
So let's learn from our history
And do it differently
I hope, for more love, more joy and laughter
I hope, we'll have more than we'll ever need
I hope, we'll have more happy ever after
I hope, we can all live more fearlessly
And we can lose all the pain and misery
I hope, I hope
There is something quite humbling about having your love handles pinched by a body fat measuring device, manned by a perfectly toned personal trainer. But, much like how I never imagined that I would allow myself to lay in a hospital bed with a spot light and a crowd all gathered around my lady parts, desperate times call for desperate measures. And at nearly 2 years removed from Thea's grand entrance under the spotlight, my belly growth has taken off again and this time I have no excuse, so desperate measures it is once again.
I bought the gym membership in a fundraiser, the fat pinch and weigh in were a free bonus. I have a long ways to go, but talking about it creates accountability, right?
