So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, adieu.....

......I'm glad to go, I cannot tell a lie!!!!!

This is my feeling for old 2011!!!!! Actually, the year hasn't been all bad...in fact, not bad at all. I really need a thankful spank is what I need!

The year has had multiple disappointments and hardships; however, it has been a year of happiness. Another year of health, and a year of growth beyond measure.

As I reflect the past year, I cannot help but feel overwhelmed with thankfulness as to God's mercy and faithfulness.

I wanted to begin this post talking about some areas I feel I have been slacking in; such as materialistic desires and ungrateful thoughts cultivated by observations of others blessings or shall I say, bad spending habits. I wanted to bemoan the fact that we have not yet purchased a house, and that we have had to resort to state assistance for medical coverage and that we have faced moments with less than $4 to our name, then I was going to slap my own hand and recount everything I have to be thankful for. But somehow I didn't start off the way I'd planned. And when it comes to writing on my blog, I like to just blurt out my feelings. It's always better that way.

So....the year started off good. Hubby had a decent job. It helped pay the bills. It was really stressful though; he had a crazy psycho lady boss named JOYCE. She sounded like a man. I think she smoked at least 4 packs a day. I could smell the nicotine even while listening to her voicemails. She was actually a demon from hell but poor hubby tolerated her as much as he could. Then one day there was a straw that broke the camels back. He could not deal with her any longer. So he told her so. In so many words...he told her where to go.

About 2 weeks later we found out her company was being sued for fraudulent activity. God knew.

So we were back to square one. We had bills to pay and kids with hopes of attending church camps. I began to sell things. I sold my camera lens. I dug into school loan money. We did what we had to do to survive. Then our work paid off. Our dog had puppies and that is a blessing business for sure. We were able to pay a large chunk of orthodontic bills. We were able to go to camp meeting and were blessed to make wonderful friends there.

We put money back into the business.

Then we found out a friend would let us live in her house while it was on the market for free. A little old 2 bedroom with an added room off the garage. We didn't realize it had no heat or a/c. It was rank. We had to rip out carpet and put in new flooring. Since it was free we didn't mind spending the money. The realtor said the sale process would be 9 months at least. Long story short, 3 months later their was an accepted offer. We immediately did everything possible to find another house. I sold my leather couch/ottoman set for a deposit.

We got the keys to the new place on October 15th. It's fabulous. I am so grateful. The buyer actually backed out of the other home but we said "good riddance". The hot water heater had burst 2 weeks prior to getting notified of the sale leaving us boiling water for baths and dishes.

Thank GOD we got out of there! It was a huge upheaval though and I feel the whole process tainted my entire year! I feel jipped from our homeschool schedule, family time, church, and so many things got jumbled during that whole ordeal. BUT I CAN'T COMPLAIN! God has been GOOD to me through it all!

I have FOUR healthy, beautiful kids! I have a husband who loves me! I live in a beautiful home! I have TRUE friends who love me! I got a brand new Kitchen Aid mixer from a sweet friend for Christmas! I have a GOD who I can depend on! I am so thankful.

BUT! I am so ready to put this year behind me! I am ready for bigger and better things. I am ready to move forward by simplifying and minimizing excess fluff in my life. I want to get back to the basics. Quit worrying about who has what and who buys what and pine for things I do not need and may not ever have. I often think I must attain certain things before my kids are grown; looking back, my parents did not have a whole lot and I turned out alright!
(right?)

Anyhow......I know this is the most rambly post everrrr but I am really just thinking a LOT and I really really really want to focus on what matters MOST. I have decided I am not ever ever ever going to be found guilty of spinning my wheels till I'm blue in the face trying to make an extra dollar or two just to have extra to spend. It's not worth it! Looking back, I remember doing so much too often when my kids were babies and I regret those wasted hours.

I.will.put.my.family.first.in.2012.

It's 1:39am and my husband is speaking in whale while he slumbers.

There. I am done.

Happy New Year folks and may you have peace and happiness now and always.