A yearly reflection

As the year comes to its annual close, it is time for me to once again look back and reflect on what I have learned, what I wish I had learned, and what I hope to learn next year.

What I have learned:

•  Some people come, some people go.
• What takes years to create, can take minutes to break
• Nothing, I repeat, nothing is sacred in a house with a 2 year old
• Crayon does come off of walls with the Magic Eraser
• It is all right to demand time off, even from being a mom
• Sleeping until 6 am, IS sleeping in, who knew?!
• Going to sleep by 8 pm isn't just for old people anymore (unless I am getting old!?!)
• Mistakes can, and do come back to haunt you
• Worrying about it, isn't going to make it go away
• Budgeting really DOES work!
• You cannot make a 2 year old eat something, sometimes you have to let them go hungry for a couple of days
• Tantrums, teething, pooping, headaches, scrapes, bruises, they all come with having a toddler
• Discipline HAS to be consistent.  Give in one time, and you are doomed!
  
• Once you find a pediatrician who loves your 2 year old monster child, as much as you do, you will travel 20 minutes longer than you had to before to follow them.
• It is better to listen than to talk sometimes often 
• Taking pictures can be cathartic

What I wish I had learned:

• How to not worry SO much 
• How to use Photoshop Elements with a little more precision
• How to make my 2 year old obey every time the first time
• How to make millions of dollars while being a stay at home mom
• How to let go of things before they become more than they need to be
• How to travel faster, like maybe through a secret door way or something

What I hope to learn next year:

• How to say good-bye to a "family" that has seen us through so many good times and so many bad times without completely losing it
• How to explain to my 3 year old that we are moving away from the life that he knows and loves
  
• How to trust HIM completely, no matter what, that He has the best plan for our lives, and NO, I am not allowed to help Him!
• How to be a civilian wife, instead of a military wife
• How to take better pictures than I am taking now, and maybe even make a little money doing it

Whew!  What a year!  Some good, some bad, some in between.  2010 promises to be filled with new adventures, new learning experiences, new loves.  I can't wait, but at the same time, I can.  I hope that 2009 was a wonderful for you as it was for me, and that 2010 holds the promise of good things for you and yours!