Goodbye 2011... welcome, 2012!

We're nearing the end of 2011. I can't believe how quickly this year went by, but then again, I think I say that every year.  This was a fabulous year. Obviously, Tyler was the best thing to happen to us!  I am excited to see what 2012 will hold for us.  A new assignment, which will bring all sorts of new things our way: new house, new car (we sold one before we came), new surrounding, new friends, etc. I can't wait!  Every 3-4 years I start to get the "itch" to move.  Must be because I've done that my entire life!

With a new year comes the typically resolutions.  I can never remember what I said my resolutions would be by the end of the year. I guess I'll try to keep it simple this year.

1. Put family first.  Ever since having Tyler, I've realized a whole new meaning to priority.  I consider myself a generous and giving person.  I tend to put other people/things first.  Well, not anymore!  My little family is the most important thing to me!  Before Ty was born, I used to spend a LOT of extra time at school prepping lesson plans, tidying/organizing my classroom, grading papers, etc.  Now I go to work super early (while he's still sleeping so I don't feel guilty about spending the extra time at work) so I can get most of what I need done before school and leave immediately when my work day is over at 2:40 (unless I have the occasional dreaded meeting).  I never want to become one of those people where their job is their life!  Life doesn't revolve around work, and I never want it to be {at least not my job}.  I'm thankful that Joe has a steady income and gives me the option to be a SAHM.  I can't wait to become one after this school year finishes! Maybe I'll go back to work when Ty goes to preschool.

2. Have more patience.  This is something I'll probably say every year, but it's true. I'm short tempered and I definitely need to work on this. I'm getting better at biting my tongue, taking deep breaths and counting to 3.  But sometimes, things just get to me!  I need to let the little things slide by and appreciate the greater things in life!

3. Be the best me.  I want to be a person that Tyler can look up to and love and respect as he grows up.  I want to make the best choices for our family, be the best person that I can be, and be the best mommy and wife I know how to be.  This kind of ties into #1.  I can't wait for Ty to get older and start doing all the fun family activities and traditions I see so many other families doing together.  I want to have the time to do those things, I want to have the desire to think of fun and creative things to do, and I want to always push myself to keep up with those things and not let the hustle and bustle of everyday life get in the way!  I don't want to keep putting off to tomorrow, what could be done today. I don't want to think it was something I should have done, when it was something I could have done.

Christmas Eve in Seoul, South Korea - December 2011

I am so, so, so excited for 2012!  I know it will hold a lot of great things and I can't wait to see what it has in store for us! Happy New Year!
{The three of us are just getting over an awful stomach flu and will be staying in, watching movies and hanging out in jammies. Wouldn't want to be anywhere else!}