Change

Hi friend.

Just enjoying a quiet day, watching some Disney movies, and eating a delicious salad- courtesy of Jessica.

So far we've enjoyed movie nights, the Chicago day trip, playing lots of card games, teaching Tyler how to play dots, and the annual shooting excursion.  Jered was even impressed by my skills this year guys!  I hit a bottle floating down the creek twice in a row!

And guys-as we were watching Swiss Family Robinson, Tyler, one of my new nephews, asked if he could curl up on the couch with me.  And then I got to hear: I'm really glad you're my aunt.  So special.

As we prepare for our New Year's Eve festivities at the Flinkman household, I'm taking a little time to think about the last year.  What a year it's been!

Twelve new family members.  Seven months of brainstorming and shopping and planning our wedding day. Six blissful days in Cancun.  Four months of marriage. Three of four semesters down for Jered at Loyola University.  Two inherited nephews, and two new nieces or nephews on the way.  One amazing husband.

(It would have been nice to have 12-1 things, wouldn't it?  I wasn't that creative... or patient.)

It hasn't all been kicks and giggles though.  There have been some big bumps along the way.  And they've been hard.  Real hard.  But God has been faithful to our family and friends.

I almost feel a little selfish for loving and reminiscing about this year when so many people are ready to put it in the past, but I don't know that that's necessary.

You know, for someone who dreads change, I've experienced a lot of them this year.  I moved out of the comfort of my parents' home, left a great, steady job, moved to a place where most people can't imagine me living, picked up three nannying jobs, now live with a boy, and am even now, wondering where my husband will move us in the next year.

And guess what I've found.

Change isn't so bad after all.  I guess you just have to go with the flow, right?  Sometimes it's even really exciting.

Now, I haven't given New Year's resolutions any thought for several years, probably not since Myspace was the foremost form of social media.

I've decided to make a couple unofficial New Year's resolutions this year though.

I want to read more.  I miss how it felt to expand my mind while I was still in school.  Even if it's for fun, I plan to do that again through reading more books this year.  Luckily, I have my next four lined up, and then I'm moving on to the new Divergent series, which Molly and Justin have been devouring this week.  I also plan to reread The Giver.

I want to cook more for my husband.  Basically, I just want to become a better wife all around.

Lastly, I want to keep a book like this one:

I plan to, starting tomorrow, keep a record of something good from each day this year.  I highly doubt that Jered would take part in this activity with me, so I may make it into a book or journal for him to read at the end of next year.  I'm not sure yet.  Anyway- tomorrow night, whether it is on an old receipt or a note card, I will begin the makings of this journal/scrapbook.

Tonight, the remaining Flinkmen and women will bring in the new year with another session of the Newlywed Game.  Here's hoping that last year's champs will hold on to their reign!

So for now, I must say goodbye!  Talk to you next year!

Aim