This is it – my last post for 2011. I think the older I get, the faster each year progresses and this was, by far, the quickest three hundred and sixty-five days that I have ever lived.
Overall, 2011 was a very joyful year. Unlike the two years before it…we didn’t say goodbye (or rather, see you later) to any family, although there were many instances during this year that I thought about, cried over, or smiled – remembering my Aunt Carol, Uncle Donnie, and my beautiful Grandmother. I miss you all…I love the childhood memories that you will live in forever.
In contrast, we actually welcomed new family members instead. Fayzonn (my husband’s brother, who we raised) became a father to a precious and perfect son, Trezonn. Antone (another brother who we raised) married his soulmate, giving me not only a new sister-in-law, but also a new niece and nephew who I can’t wait to get to know. Lastly, and although I won’t be able to hold her until her birth in May, we discovered that the new blessing growing in Shade’s (my husband’s sister, another of Tony’s siblings who we helped guide to adulthood) womb is a girl – my Little Ari. I love her already.
This year also brought with it our oldest daughter’s entrance into high school, her first tryouts (successful, thank God) for high school volleyball, the completion of her first year of club volleyball, and the beginning of what is Dev’s second year – but DeeDee’s first year – of club volleyball again.
This year saw my first-born, my handsome son, finally grow taller than his 5’9 mother…he’s been waiting so impatiently to get taller than me. Along with that hard-earned height came a little mustache and the beginnings of chin whiskers. Makes me want to go touch his smooth face right now because by tomorrow, he may have a full beard!
This year threw a few other milestones at us too, another Period Party (this time for our younger daughter), and two fortieth birthdays (Tony in February and me in July)…and I got to share mine with the most magical, perfect two-year-old you ever did see – an honor, indeed!
This year held the grave concern that comes with a kidney disease diagnosis for our Amazing D’Lo…and then the sheer gratefulness that comes along with witnessing our brave, little soldier being further strengthened by God’s grace. Still on prednisone treatments now, he (and He) reminds us everyday what true strength really is. Thank You, Lord.
What else? That’s right, Dee Dee got braces. Dev went to her first Homecoming. AD got his first haircut AND he mastered the stairs – so we got to take down our very last baby gate…sigh.
A pretty successful year, I do believe! A year of blessings and reasons to be grateful…and I am.
Thank you for the memories, my Dearest 2011…I will miss you.
