Goodbye and good riddance 2011

2011 was not the best year for me, I would even venture to say that parts of it were the worst. I don't know what was up with 2011 because I know quite a few people who would say the same thing. In my on-going mission to be a happier person I spent some time reminiscing on the good things that happened during this past year.

* After months and months of begging, pleading, threatening and bribing, Briella decided she was ready to be potty-trained. People kept telling me to wait for her to be ready and ready she was. Within hours she was accident-free and successful at not only #1 but #2 as well! I still can't believe we're a diaper-free house! (well kind-of, I haven't tackled the whole night thing)

* My kids are seriously amazing. James is such a whiz at school. He gobbles up books like it's nobody's business and is a natural born leader when it comes to organizing games on the playground. He loves his sisters and takes such good care of them. Avery is such a nurturing, loving person that I can't get over it. Her primary focus in life is to make sure those around her are well cared for. She loves to sit with me and fold laundry, and dust, and put dishes away. Anything that means she gets to be with me. And shopping, that girl loves to shop! Not only for herself but she is always looking for things to get for others. Briella is such a crack-up, she makes us laugh on an hour basis. She has the sweetest voice and says that cutest things. She tells me every day that I'm gorgeous and she's so glad I'm her mom. She is naturally gracious. Out of the blue she'll tell someone, "thank you so much for letting me come to your home," or "thank you for making this delicious dinner." I don't know where it comes from! All three of them love to sing and I love hearing that. They are all excellent at remembering lyrics and sing on-pitch 99% of the time. James and Avery sang in our Stake Children's Choir and took it really seriously. They also signed up to sing a duet together at their school's music showcase this month.

* I got to be James' Cub Scout Den leader. It's a lot less stressful than my other calling and I get to spend some good, quality time with him. Plus being immersed in this whole scouting world is kind of fun!

* I have some seriously good friends and family. I thought they were awesome before but they are even more so. Even with drama going on themselves they proved to be more than I could ever hope for. I will never be able to repay them for all they have done for me but I will certainly try :)

* I have Ben. He goes above and beyond on a daily basis to show me how much he loves me. He's proven to me that we are in this mess called life together and that there is nowhere else he'd rather be. He also had a banner year at work. He's really good at what he does. Like really, really good. I got to go to Chicago with him while he spoke at the International Disability Insurance Society's yearly conference and he totally rocked it. I'm so glad he has a career that he loves and is stellar at.

2012 is already looking better for us. We started off the year with James' baptism (which will get it's very own post very soon) and I have 2 (possibly 4) trips planned for the first 5 months of the year already. I am going to post more, I need to keep a record for my kids and this really is the easiest way :) Here's to a better year!