A time to reflect on 2011

The countdown til Christmas!

With only a days left in 2011, I think it is time to sit and reflect upon all the wonders, good times, bad times and miracles of the year. This has been a year of change and so much uncertainty but God will always bring me through whatever he brings me to. 2011 was filled with babies, marriages, deaths, many changes at work, changes in my family and more.

January - We started the year our wonderfully with the birth of little Kenneth. Coming into this world on 1/1/11. Headed out to AZ for a soccer tournament with some awesome ladies. Happily got to meet Kenneth or KP as we call him, see lots of family from all over AZ and win a few games. Lastly we finished out the month at the beautiful wedding of Amanda and Bryan Maxwell. Such a wonderful occasion and so much family around.

February - Was a nice. slow month. We hit the Padres Fanfest and got some great pictures and met some of the players. Followed that up by a BIG ice cream party at Farrell's for my birthday. It was loud and filled with kids but I had a blast. Even my Grandma D and Aunt Ana (from Hawaii) were able to make the trek out there in the rain. My Grandparents celebrated 62 years of marriage together. They are a real inspiration of love and understanding. My bother-in-law retired from the military this year. It's been a long journey, but now they have to adjust to being civilian life.

March - Started the month of well at the Pine Valley Women's retreat. It is always such a blessing to be around the women of Cornerstone Church in Poway. The best part was I got to share it with my sister, cousins and my aunt. What a blessing to have God flowing through all of us so strongly and to be able to experience his blessings, healing, changing and to bond even closer together. My Parent celebrated 4 years of re-marriage to each other. Which in itself is such a blessing and wonderful story. Ended the month with a weekend of Spring Training baseball.

April - This month was filled with a lot of baseball, including the home opener at Petco park with my sister. Ended the month with our 5th and very successful Relay for Life. We had the hottest on-site fundraiser. My sister put feathers and tinsel in probably every single girl and woman there. It was awesome. the Relay for Life is a 24 hours walk for cancer and we do it in the honor of our Grandma who passed away from cancer.

May - As a family we had a couple big birthday's this month and a lot of heart break. One day after my Mom's 60's birthday, my grandma (her mother) went home to the Lord. It was unexpected to us, but I am pretty sure she knew her time was short. Grandma told her best friend that she had the best life and that everyone treated her like a princess and how blessed she was. Funny, I really think it was the other way around. My grandma was a very loving person. She was very giving, caring and understanding. These last few months have been very strange. Trying to get life back to "normal" we still went on our vacation as planned. I planned a secret trip to meet up with my sister Stacy and her family at Disney world. It was a total surprise to the kids and a great time. My parents also went. Rest of the month was filled with more baseball and a big birthday for my big sis. We ended the month out in Ramona at my Aunt's house where we planted a tree for my grandma and scattered her ashes. Lastly a quick trip to Vegas.

June - This month my oldest nephew graduated from High School! It was such a great thing to see, but it makes me feel so old. :-) Went to Fishfest with my awesome roommate and thousands of other God-loving people. More baseball of course too! I started to go over about once every few weeks to watch baseball with my Grandpa. I want to spend as much time as I can with him, he's my last grandparent which I can't believe at all. It's really hard to believe that one day when I finally find someone to marry that my other grandparents wont be there. Or that when God blesses me with kids that they may never know their great-grandparents like I did. So instead of dwelling on that I am set on making memories with Grandpa, warms my heart and fills me up.

July - This month just flew by, not a lot of big stuff but it was hard around my grandma's birthday. The month was filled with baseball and a few other activities. There were a few ups and downs, but all in all I am still doing well. Ended the month at a Chocolate Festival...which is just as it sounds. YUMMY!

August - August 2nd another little one joined our family. We welcomed Samara, to my cousin Angela's family. My roommate and I saw Dierks Bentley in concert after a Padres game, it was great.

September - Started the month out with the booking of a trip to FIJI! Yes, my roommate, her sister and cousin are all heading to Fiji next month for a week of relaxation. However, before then I headed to Seattle for my wonderful cousin's wedding. My cousin Ryan got married at his awesome house in Lacey, Washington. It was just a great wedding, lots of fun and wonderful people. I loved it so much there I am still thinking about moving, but everyone said the rain will change my mind. From there we took a boat to Canada and spent a few days exploring Victoria. The garden's were beautiful and the castle was interesting and beautiful at the same time. Saw Mercy Me after a Padres game, it was a wonderful experience. Ended the month in Temecula wineries for a bachelorette party with a wonderful friend and then their wedding reception. Sadly, my sister and her family moved to San Jose this month and away from San Diego. I miss them all so much.

October - FIJI!!!!! enough said? :-) It was a great trip and I was so glad that I decided to go. Beautiful island, nice people and a house on the beach. Only thing I could have asked for was a bit more sun. This month I started to meet again for lunch with my sorority sisters and it is so great to have them back in my life.

November - Celebrated at my house with 50 family and friends to celebrate 11/11/11. It was a great way to get all my family (both sides) into one place at one time to just celebrate life. It was good food, great wine and lot of blending.

December - Wow this year has gone by so fast. It has been good and bad, but if I look back I will always think the 2011 was a good year. I will never forget my grandma, but I know that she is in a better place. I know she is no longer in pain and that make me happy. God has blessed me with so much in life and even though I may not be in the exact place in life that I thought I would be I am blessed. I have an amazing family, friends, a job and the greatest cat in the world. :-)

I look forward to what 2012 will bring including: Soccer tournament, Donny & Marie cruise with friends, Women's retreat, Baseball, Trip up the coast to follow the Padres and maybe a big trip...but where to?