This past year I was thankful for;
- my new job within the same company- not only for a pay increase but for a truly interesting and challenging opportunity
- Jon's career move; 40 hours
- HP's speech therapy; he was evaluated this summer and had like 6 words, now he has near 100. Feeling confident that he'll be up to speed and happily chatting away shortly :)
- my parents; for not only being willing to watch HP whenever but happily doing it
- my health; if you don't have your health...
- my friends; participating in our dinners and get togethers over the year
- successful Friendsgiving, after a few years break we've had the chance to start it up again this past year
- running my 2 annual 5Ks with Katie in record time (even if my stomach was about to break)
- realizing that I did not in fact have a weird growth/tumor in my stomach after a trip to the doctor- apparently my stomach muscles are permanently(?) separated due to having HP and occasionally my aorta can be felt through my stomach....to much information? sorry :)
- having my NYC bestie meet me in Chicago and hang out in GR!
- coaching soccer for my old school- even though we ended poorly we had a great time and finished with a game of parents/coaches v. kids. Made me want to play again!
- Volunteering at adult ESL for 2 hours a week; loved my groups and getting to know them more. Sad I cannot do it again this year.
- Successfully shedding 10+ pounds, thanks to WW, lets hope I can keep that in check better this year :)
- Launching an ESL blog for work, I do weekly blogs about ESL strategies and love getting feedback!
- Trick-or-treating with HP and Jon, so happy to have Jon be able to participate this year!
- Watching HP interact with his cousins and friends, winning hearts and minds :)
- Finishing the Game of Thrones book series, awesome. Now patiently waiting for the next book to be released.
- being able to purchase the little things that no one notices but you; towels, nice shower curtain, coffee maker- when you have extremely limited resources purchasing things like these do not happen, so it's been more than a relief to be able to now
- Face time with Kellie and Katie; thanks to the new phone we can actually see each other more :)
- a new and improving wardrobe; making myself look presentable again
- Sledding at our neighborhood park with HP and Jon, even though we had only an infant sized sled to work with we managed some great times
- 6 weeks of summer vacation with HP and me; it will be a painful wake up call when summer rolls around again and I can't do that again, but we really made the most of it! Glad I captured the highlights in my Summer Series :)
- attending my 10 year HS reunion! A blast from the past and it was actually pretty fun!
- Hosting another NY bestie in the Spring; we got to show Kathryn around town and even to a quasi-family reunion in Alma complete with Highland Festival excitement
- Celebrating HP's 2nd birthday in style- surrounded by friends and family and sports-themed cupcakes
- celebrated my birthday again with a fantastic group of girls and always delicious San Chez brunch
- the who-knows-how-many Annual Poker Party; saw some old and new faces and played some serious poker
- the health of my family and friends; going strong :)
