Reflections

It's hard to know where to begin when looking back on the past year. There have been a lot of ups and downs. Nothing too crazy or exciting to tell you about, but happy that God has given me another year to look forward to. If your anything like me, then it's hard to believe this is the year 2013! Where does the time go? Seems like yesterday I was graduating from High School and planning life as a college student.
I can't recall much of January 2012, so I will start with February. As I go along, you may notice that big chunks of the year are missing...sorry but I am going by memory here! On February 4th 2012, Jeremy and I celebrated are sixth year wedding anniversary. We didn't do anything too fancy, but I do recall him taking me to dinner at Kobes. Oh yeah, we also spent the weekend watching the Superbowl. I do rememeber that. Haha! So for those of you considering an early wedding in February...maybe you should reconsider, especially if your soon to be hubby is a huge football fan. You will NEVER hear the end of it. Trust me! Hey...it is not my fault that superbowl weekend switched from the last weekend in January to the first weekend in February! Men! LOL
In March, my precious son, James turned three years old. We enjoyed the day by having family and friends over. Jake and the Never Land Pirates was the theme. He loves that show and I cannot tell you how excited I was when I walked into Walmart and saw they had the plates, cups, and napkins to match his theme. I would do anything for that little man! I also had a girls night out in February. It ended up just being me and my cousin Kristin, but we had fun. We ate at Sportspage that night, took some crazy pics and then got buck wild at my house watching movies all night. Woot Woot!
In April, I spent most of my time taking photos and promoting my Photos By Dallas business. I still have a LONG way to go, but things have started picking up, and I must say this is a great passion of mine. I wish this is something I could do long term. Who knows...maybe one day I will have my own studio. A girl can dream can't she?
In May of 2012, my sister in law, Chantel, graduated from Western Carolina University. We had family fly in from Utah and then we all made the 2 hour trip to the University to watch her walk across the stage. After graduation, we all went and ate at Zaxby's and then headed back home. In May, I also accepted my nanny job. I started there on May 12th. I had turned down a position at a Veterinary Hospital, so that I could save money on daycare and bring James with me to work.  I also turned the BIG 30 on May 27th. I must admit, this was not a Birthday that I was looking forward to. It must be a woman thing...at least that is what Jeremy says. Either way I was not looking forward to it. Jeremy tried to make me feel better about this by having a cookout at the house with family and friends. It wasn't so bad after all.
In June of 2012, Jeremy also turned the BIG 30. James and I spent the month trying to find the perfect Birthday gift for him. After all that, I think we ended up getting him a gift card and a pair of blue jeans from American Eagle. We also had a Birthday celebration at his parents house. We had his favorite...Lasanga. His Mom makes the best homemade Lasagna.
In July we celebrated the 4th at Lake Lure, NC. It was a nice get away. We went with my parents and stayed in a cabin. There was a HUGE master bedroom with a King size bed. I remember the bed b/c when James would lay in it, I remember thinking how small and innocent he looked. I also remember waking up with him in our bed and still having plenty of room to stretch out or just to snuggle. While on vacation we also took James Gem Mining. I got some awesome pictures of he and Jeremy. After mining, we all cooled off by walking in in the river. James thought it would be nice to sit down and was literally soaking wet. He didn't seem to mind. We had to strip him down when we put him in the car to head back to the cabin. He keep saying "why am I riding home naked"?
In August 2012, I took the kids that I nanny for to Lazy Five Ranch in Mooresville, NC. This was an experience to say the least. It's one of the those places were you drive thru and feed the animals at the same time. Never in my life would I have imagined so many furry creatures walking up to my car. The best part was getting to feed the Giraffes. I literally climbed out the drivers side window and held the bucket of feed up to their mouths. The only downside to this little adventure were the scratches that were left on my car by some of the animals hooves.
In September we spent most our weekends out by the Firepit. We would roast hotdogs and make smores. James loves this and for whatever reason, hotdogs seem to taste best over an open flame. I also made the mistake of posting a joke on Facebook about expecting...expecting Santa that is in 12 weeks. Some people didn't take the time to read this through.
October was a good month. I was excited to decorate the house in fall colors and take James to the Pumpkin Patch. We went to Lewis Farms in Gastonia, NC. Mom, Nichole and Alli came with us. It was a nice farm and some place we had not been before. There was a pig their that had just given birth earlier that morning. We all enjoyed watching the piggies feed. I could tell that the mother was literally exhausted. James and Alli spent most of the time playing on the hay bales and throwing hay at one another. Those two have some of the most beautiful smiles. Watching them play made me feel like a little kid all over again.
November was quick to follow. I was looking forward to spending time with family on Thanksgiving. It was a little different this year. Normally we have breakfast at Jeremy's parents house and then from there head to my Mammaw and Pawpaw's house in Charlotte. Man I wish I could explain to you just how good that food is. It literally is food for the soul. Nothing can compare. This year we had lunch at my parents house instead. The kitchen was full of food and yes it was tasty, but not the same. There is just something about my Aunt Cindi's macaroni and cheese, Aunt Cheryls Mashed Potatoes and my Mammaws gravy, stuffing and sweet tea. Ummm...I can taste it all now. Cracker Barrel can't even compare to this...and I LOVE me some Cracker Barrel. For what ever reason, Mom and I stopped in that night at my Mammaws and Pawpaws house. I cannot tell you how thankful I am that we did. I could tell that they missed having everyone down at the house, but I also understand as to why. With age it gets harder to do some things. Either way, I am glad that we stopped. Mom and I sat and takled with Mammaw and Pawpaw for awhile and then we headed back to my parents house.
December...Yay! It was finally here! We have had a tradition now for several years to go to the Mountains the first weekend in December and get our Christmas Tree. Typically we go with my parents. James, Mom and I ususally make our way up to the Moutains before Dad and Jeremy. This year we stayed in Boone. I have always loved in up there, esp. Blowing Rock. I swear I would pack my bags and move there in a heart beat!
Mom, James and I all stopped for lunch at Chickfila. This is a favorite of all ours, but especially James. We initally were in the drive thru line, but James insisted on dinning in. So...as usual James got his way with those beautiful blue eyes. After lunch James talked us into going in the play area. Little did I know the laughs would soon follow. James somehow managed talking me into coming and sliding with him. Lets just say I have never been shocked so many times in my life, or had so much static in my hair. Did I mention the part were my pants fell down and my butt crack was literally exposed for the whole Chickfila restaurant to see? This was just in time for Mom to snap the perfect pciture and for James to start calling me "butt crack girl". That was the start to a wonderful weekend. On Sunday we picked out our Christmas Trees and then headed home.
We spent the rest of the day decorating and I even began to start wrapping some gifts.
It wasn't until December 7th that those wonderful events began to change. On Friday some crazed young man in Newtown, CT thought it would be okay to walk into an Elementary school and start shooting. Innocent lives had been taken. I cannot tell you how many times I cried that day.
December 17th came...that night I got a call from my Mom letting me know that she and Dad were headed to the Hospital. My Pawpaw had just been diagnosed with liver cancer. This is not something you want to hear...much less near Christmas time. December 24th...Christmas Eve, I get the call that Pawpaw has now passed. Even though I am sad, I can rejoice in the fact that he is no longer in pain and suffering. He is with God now and has been reunited with his son, John. Despite all that has happened, my Pawpaw and Mammaw still want to have Christmas Eve as planned at their house. Lord, please give me the strength to make it through.
December 29th...we say our final goodbyes to my Pawpaw as we lay him to rest. The night before James and Jeremy stopped to get a haircut. James tells us he wants his hair short and spikey. He looks like a totally different person. This would be a BIG hit at the funeral. My Mammaw hugs him and says "ohh if only your Pawpaw were here to see him now". As the days past and we see more people...this is all we hear about...James haircut.
December 31st...we ring in the New Year while laying in bed. Welcome to 2013!