2012. . . please be kind

Well, I can't say 2011 was the best year of my life.  There were a few good things that happened, but a lot of bad.  I am praying 2012 is much better.  We have a lot of hopefuls happening this year.  I pray that our house will close soon, that Nate will get on FT at the airport, that I can survive the teen years without my hair turning grey.  Oh, lets face it.  If it ever did turn grey, noone would know, because I would just dye it :-)

Seriously, I can't believe I only have one more month until I join the ranks of "parents of teenagers".  I am SO excited for Ashley to turn 13.  I love my kids so much, and the older they get, the closer I feel to them.  They are finally old enough to stay up without being crabby the next day.  They can play "grown up" board games, and watch "grown up" (but clean) movies.  They are able to communicate so much better, and share their feelings more.  I don't know why people cringe when they hear the word TEENAGER.  I am so excited to see what God has planned for Ashley in the next few years. 

I also hope and pray that we can get a house this year.  It seems like a simple request, however, with how slow the bank is moving, I feel like our house will never close.  That alone has been a nightmare of 2011, which I thought would have scarred me from ever wanting to own a home again.  However, the fact that I can paint and change out fixtures makes owning a home appealing to me again.  So we'll see what happens.  I may chicken out and rent for awhile more, but only God knows what is in store.

We have a fantastic family vacation planned for next month as well.  A well deserved vacation, since my hubby works 55 hrs a week 7 days a week.  It will be nice for him to not have to work for a whole week.  I am sure he is thrilled and can't wait for Feb :-) 

I don't know what 2012 will bring, but I know God won't give me too much to bear.  Even if it turns out to be worse than 2011, I know that God has a plan and His will is better than my own.