It has been a wild year, to say the least. I have so many ups and downs, I'm not even sure where to start. I started the year pregnant with Cora, she was giving me a hard time, but I worked through it. I even managed to get some snowboarding in when I was 7 months pregnant at our State Winter Games, which we had to cancel - which brought many tears...but instead of focusing on that, I think I'll look forward to this year and making sure our event makes up for it! Then I was just working, working and working. We had State Basketball, which had over 100 teams and was exhausting! Being 8 months pregnant, running here and there took a tole, but I made it through. During all of this, I was preparing for Summer Games, since I was going to have Cora a month or so before that. There was very little downtime at work for me, since I wanted to be as prepared as possible for the Summer Games. I knew I was going to be out for a while, but also knew I wanted to get back to work as soon as possible, rather to get things in order for the games. I went through a lot of emotions when I realized it was possible that I was going to miss Summer Games due to Cora. I couldn't miss Summer Games - I haven't missed a Summer Games in 15 years, I couldn't this year. So, through some tears, pleading and proposals of my plan it worked out, I was able to work from home with Cora leading up to the games and had her with me most of the games. It was great, it was hard, but it was worth it.
Then there was Cora, my sweet little baby girl...who came to us in the most amazing way possible. I think back to it all, to the labor, to the times I told Sean I couldn't do it, to when he said it was time to go, to when all of a sudden, she was here. The moment was amazing, it was everything I wanted and more. Sean got to catch my wonderful baby girl and she has been amazing from day one. She has nursed like a champ, she sleeps pretty well and while I still spend way too much time cuddling her, it is worth every minute of it. Maybe I don't get my evening work out in, or maybe the laundry stays in the dryer a bit longer, but her snuggles and cuddles are worth each and every moment. I am soaking them up, watching her sleeping and nurse and just being in love with everything about her.
And then there is Liam, that kid. I love that kid so much. He has such a mind of his own, his imagination is amazing and his spirit is beyond incredible. I am so lucky to have this boy with such energy, and so much love for everything. I mean, he is a 3 year old, so he has his moments, but when he is in a good mood, he is the sweetest. I love the way he wants to help cheer up Cora, as a matter of fact, yesterday, he was pouting because she was still crying after he tried to make her feel better. He wants to help to everything, I can do that, he says quite often...he wants to help daddy when daddy is working, he wants to help mommy when I'm cooking...his world is just a canvas for him to learn and I hope we are teaching him well.
And I'm sure there are a million more things we did this year that remind me of how lucky I am to be where I am be with the people I'm with. I took the kids back to Illinois for a fun trip, we had lots of visitors that help remind us of the paradise we live in. We started some traditions like donuts from downtown Evergreen and a hike by the lake on a weekend morning when we are both home. We are reminded that people don't to be related to be family. We were lucky to have sold our house in IL, just recently, which was both relieving and sad all at the same time.
We finally camped this summer in our new camper and it was amazing. I was reminded how much I love to camp...and the places we get to go and the stars we can see on each trip are such a reminder of what a beautiful place we live in. We went on adventures as a family that I enjoy more than I thought. The kids are loving being outside - if Liam is in the right mood, he will stay outside all day and night, with no complaints, except when it's time to come inside.
I was reminded of the strong person I am the person I want to keep being for me and for my kids. I am finding the balance of being a mom, working, being a wife and still being the person I want to be. I have rediscovered my desire to do things, like snowboarding and climbing and even though I have kids, I can still be the person I was once...I will just need to adjust my expectations a bit.
It has been a beyond incredible year for me and for us as a family. We are so blessed to have so many people to be thankful for in our lives. We wake up in paradise every morning and while we have to work and live our lives each day, which is not always easy, we always get to come home to our mountain retreat, endless stars and a home we have created.
P.S. These kiddos have become more than a big part of my life, they are my life...something no one really tells you about being a parent...oh, that, and they will drive you crazy any chance you get and make you laugh and smile harder than you ever have in your life. I wouldn't trade them for the world and I look forward to seeing what the new year brings for all of us, especially them!
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