Welcome 2012

2011 was a good year for our little family. We experienced many great things, and it was also a year of new challenges as we navigated parenthood and a career change for me. Justin and I decided that it would be best for our family if I stayed home with Caden, rather than returning to my job as an Anatomy teacher at Chatfield. This has been quite the transition, as Chatfield was my dream teaching job. I dearly miss my colleagues and the students at CSH, but I am so blessed to be able to stay home and take care of the most important person in our life! I am fortunate to have the opportunity to continue teaching as I entered the world of virtual teaching - I now teach middle school science for Colorado Virtual Academy. It’s been interesting trying to find the balance between working from home while caring for Caden, and I am very grateful that my Mom comes over to watch Caden every Wednesday while I teach my “live” sessions. Justin has also been super supportive, helping me enter grades, and being very understanding when I have to work during what would be our time together after Caden goes to bed. He truly is the best husband a girl could ask for!

My boys looking cute!

 There are so many exciting things that we are looking forward to in 2012! Justin will graduate dental school on Friday, May 25. He has worked so incredibly hard for this, and I can’t even begin to explain how proud our entire family is. We will hop on a plane the very next morning to Mexico for my brother’s wedding - Memorial Day weekend 2012 will be very exciting! We are also thrilled to celebrate the college graduations of Justin’s sister Amanda and her longtime boyfriend John in early May.

Caden playing with his remote control tractor

Caden driving his first car

I don’t normally make resolutions, but this year I am going to read the Bible all the way through. I have read several parts of the Bible many times, and attempted to read it cover to cover before, but I loss motivation in parts of the Old Testament. I bought the one-year Bible which I am LOVING because it separates the Bible into daily readings that include passages from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. I am really excited because my sister, Reesie, and her sister Nilda are reading it too:) Teri and I are also reading Simple Abundance. This book is organized into daily essays, which I am really liking so far! The author recommends keeping a gratitude journal, listing five things that you are grateful for each day. This has been awesome! My five for today:

1)      Justin making Caden and I homemade lemon blueberry pancakes for breakfast.

2)      Sunny, almost 60 degree weather in the middle of January!

3)      Beautiful walk with Justin and Caden.

4)      ½ hour nap with Justin while Caden slept.

5)      Justin’s super thoughtful efforts to make the Broncos playoff game a fun, family affair. When I came out from putting the laundry away, he had changed into his Broncos shirt and set out a bunch of yummy food that he picked up at the grocery store….LOVE that he knows the little things that I truly appreciateJ  

Caden watching my Broncos get crushed by the Patriots:(