“Year in review”

As the holidays approach, it’s that time of year when we often find ourselves looking back over the past months and taking stock of our existence. What were our goals? What did we accomplish? Did we at least survive? Such is life for a parent.

I look back at the last 12 months and I wonder how my kids could have changed as they have. I wonder where those babies have gone! Could it really be that just a short time ago we were learning to talk and changing two sets of diapers and finally sleeping alone? Those are only a few of the moments we’ve endured over the course of this past year.

We met mean little kids at the grade school playground. We grew accustomed to taste-testing every new bowl of dog food, and we perfected our performance at family weddings.

We learned how to shop with a superstore buggy and learned to make “Alto Meal” without any lumps. We learned that there’s more than one Old Yeller in the family, and if we’re not careful, those crazy Road Trips just might cause someone to let out a serious growl.

We’ve learned that there is just no excuse for poor performance at the ballpark, and no amount of screaming or crying or peeing in the stands will save you when you’re due a swat from Daddy’s belt.

We’ve moved homes and moved towns and changed the color of our teams, but we finally came to understand that not all “red socks” are “dirty”.

We’ve learned to sing and catch fly balls and be at one with nature.

We’ve watched as our boys have developed personalities of their own. Cooper, our true Little Randy, his daddy through and through, and Brisco, that ornery, mischievous little rascal who we’ll either laugh at or beat to death, depending on the day of the week. Both alike in so many ways, yet distinctly different, growing into the best of pals and the greatest of competitors all at the same time.

Over the course of the year, I’ve learned to accept the importance of male bonding, conceded that I’ve seen the last of my Saturdays, and prayed for my very own superhero to deliver a moment of peace at the end of a weary day. I’ve learned that sometimes a mom needs to give in and let go. Say yes a little more often. Worry a little less.

We’ve enjoyed blessings and adventures. We have taught lasting truths and learned valuable lessons-many of them the hard way. And all these things we have done together.

As we move into a new year, we’ll continue to enjoy the firsts of our boys and keep looking for firsts of our own. We’ll celebrate every new memory of childhood and revel in whatever stage of life we happen to find ourselves, no matter what challenges parenthood brings next. And above all, we’ll thank God for the blessings of the year gone by and the joy that is surely to come.

And that’s our year in review.