2012 Word Montage…

2012 in review….

Rang in 2012 having been asleep for 2 hours, missed a fish fry,was angry, job shared, started music together with Jackson, made new friends, lost Llanview, cried a bit, loved llanview, met Michael Easton and Trevor St. John, swooned, shopped, lost the morning nap, cried a little, had some long days, celebrated Valentines Day with wine tasting, had play dates, flew with a toddler, sat on the beach in Aruba, redefined vacation, took a toddler to happy hour, road a 4 wheeler and a horse, had dinner on the beach, dined in AC for Restaurant week, danced to the oldies, drank a little, went to the zoo, celebrated Bag Day at the pub, made Guinness stew, walked with the march of dimes, celebrated John’s 31st, missed half of the Hunger Games, was frustrated, decided to sell our house, sold our house in 3 days, cried a little, packed, trashed and sorted, strolled down memory lane, celebrated Easter with friends, searched south Jersey for the perfect home, was exhausted, had a great date night, found the perfect home but it was a short sale, started waiting, had dinner at the Lobster House with our besties, went to Yesterday’s, drank too much, pack and moved, realized I love my in laws, moved in with my parents, pouted, waited for our house, went to farmers markets, had dinner with my girls, went to Comic Con, saw Bruce Campbell, ate the best grilled cheese ever, realized I had an 18 month old, was helpless when Bailey was attacked, cried, screamed and was ultimately thankful that he was OK, got up too early too often, visited Storybook Land, went to the beach, played at the playground, got coffee at Red, White and Brew, celebrated July 4th with old friends, lost my job, cried a little, had drinks at the Pour House, got rained on, debated reggae night, rode a jitney, went to Revel, celebrated a decade under the influence, had Thanksgiving in July, put Jack in the baby parade, had Sunday dinners at Mildred’s, bit my tongue a lot, rode the Merry go Round, decided to go to Disney, went to my first country concert, ate vodka soaked gummy bears, shouted Toby Keith songs, had a blast, was ready for fall, had Sunday Funday, celebrated 6 years in Cape May, finally got our new home, picked pumpkins,  guest posted, went to Disney, got teary eyed, met Mickey and Goofy, made memories, rode Dumbo too many times, ate and drank in Epcot, felt magical, drove to Marco Island, went to the Naples Zoo, missed hurricane Sandy, watched the news,  felt Jersey Strong, rode an air boat through the Everglades, came home, went to my second country concert, started prepping for the holidays, celebrated Jack’s 2nd birthday, had Thanksgiving in our new home, debated going back to work, thought the grass was greener, changed my mind, danced with friends at the HS holiday party, shopped for Christmas, went over board, watched Christmas lights with friends, sobbed at my kitchen table, was angry, lost the holiday spirit, rallied it back to celebrate the season with friends and family, listened to Jack sing jingle bells, pregamed, drank too much, spent Christmas Eve at urgent care with the hubs busted foot, watched Jack play with his cousins, smiled a lot, felt blessed, watched my baby tear through gifts from Santa, enjoyed sharing the traditions that I love and hold dear with my little boy, was happy for all that I have in 2012 but am ready for 2013,

2012 was tough. I spent a third of it living with my parents and feeling out of place.

We sold our house and while I love our new place and it’s slowly starting to feel like home a part of me still misses our first house, the way one misses a first love.

 I’ve learned that happiness isn’t guaranteed and doesn’t always come in the easy ways it seems. That it’s more than a Facebook update. That it’s found inside me and that it takes work. I’ve found that sometimes I have trouble seeing all the things that I have to be happy for.

 I’ve learned that relationships grow and change and that I can only control so much of what happens.

But there have been so many bright and wonderful moments this year. Moments that make me smile and laugh and cry. I have some wonderful friends who I have been lucky to make so many memories with. Some may see it as boring that here we all sit having known each other since high school. Having married high school sweet hearts and decided to place our lives in the same area where we grew up. Raising children only a few miles from where we lived all our lives.

And yet I don’t see it as boring. I see it as wonderful and I am grateful for the sameness that we have. The traditions that we keep, the sameness that grounds us and the new adventures that await us.

If 4 years ago someone had told me I would be living in this house, with a 2 year old and had been to 2 country concerts this year I would have told them that they must be drinking. And I love that even with all the sameness life still continues to surprise me.

So here’s to all that 2012 was and all the surprises that await me in 2013. Thanks for sharing the year with me!

Happy New Year to all of you. May 2013 be a good one.