Goodbye 2011

I am happy to say goodbye to 2011! It seemed like an extremely stressful year for me. There was a few months I didn't think I was going to continue living. I personally was in a deep dark place physically and mentally. In fact I really scared Josh a couple of times...needless to say he saw the struggle I was going through and stayed strong for me. For that I am very grateful (which I don't think he realizes). Toward the middle of the year, life changed dramatically for us once we started on our journey back home (Las Vegas). The change started when we were asked to show up in Portland, OR to meet with Paul Johnson who is a general authority for the church. Josh and I met with him individually, then all together as a family. He found Josh worthy to receive his priesthood once again. So he gave Josh a blessing and all his former blessings were restored once again. It was such a humbling experience. One that I have waited for many years. Now when I think about it, I find it funny to think about him changing into his garments in the back of the moving van. But it was totally worth it! Since then I have asked for many blessings and have felt so much better than what I felt at the beginning of the year. Once we got back home, things just seemed to fall onto place. Josh got a job right away, which we were very lucky because the job market has been really crappy in Las Vegas because of the economy the past few years. Jobs are not easy to come by. I eventually got a job too. So we are doing somewhat better than some people we know. We aren't rich, we have been blessed! We have also been able to continue with school in all the craziness as well. We are both determined to finish without delay. Our kids also have had a few ups and downs this year. Breanne struggled with relationships with a few boys. For some reason they would play mind games with her and lead her on. Then dump her without an explanation. She really struggled with understanding why, but it has definitely been a learning experience for her. She is now happy and has moved on from those boys. Being her mom, I knew those boys weren't right for her. Again, she had to learn it for herself. Adam had his own struggles. He finally received his high school diploma after much stress of finishing classes for credit and passing required tests. He didn't graduate on time, but he did graduate which is all that matters. I watch him on a regular basis to figure himself out. It's hard as a mother standing back and watching your child male choices that they know aren't right for them. Adam wanted to go to a mechanic school on Larame, WY, but came home one day and said he wasn't going.....okay, I was really confused?! So now he says he wants to go to CSN....but I don't think he understands what is required of going to a school like that. I suggested to him he start with one or two classes to get use to the pace of it. So far I haven't heard a final decision.... Heck we just want him to get his drivers license and a job at this point! Nicole is doing so much better too. She seemed dark and isolated for a ling time. She didn't even want a hug or any affection from Josh or I. She would yell at us not to touch her. Now she hugs us both on a regular basis. When she first did it, we were a little shocked at the change. A hug from her is one of the best feelings!!! She still has a hard time trying to fit in with some people, but hey so do I. Being in a click of friends isn't ideal anyway! Needless to say, with all the craziness we faced this year I am thankful for some of the experiences I faced. I am thankful to be back home with my mom :) honestly if it weren't for her is probably be dead! I am looking forward to starting a new year and starting new goals. Most of the goals I set for myself last year were not met, but that's okay. I can keep working on them and add new ones as well. There was a lot going on throughout the year I never expected to go through, but they were learning experiences as well. I know there are some things I will never want to do again! There are also some people, place and things I'd chose never to be around again as well. Needless to say, there was much to learn in 2011!!! Here's to a new year and lots of new lessons and experiences to go through!