Wow, January 2013. I am really believing the saying of as you get older time goes faster. I am really feeling that. 2012 was a great year for our family. Can't say one thing specifically. It was just a great year. My daughter turned 5. Son turned 8. My husband is flourishing in business and in his role as 1st Sgt in his new battalion. Riley is in Kindergarten. Brayden is in 3rd grade. Both have amazing teachers. My sister left to work in Iraq. Yep she is an amazing young lady who will be 22 this coming Saturday. My youngest brother is working for my dad and doing great. He is a huge help to me with Riley when I am subbing or cleaning a house and need him to pick her up. My other brother and his wife surprised us at mother's day announcing that they are having twins!! Yep and they gave us 2 beautiful little boys on November 14. They are so sweet. We hadn't seen Jim's sister in 5 years due to choices she was making. But she is clean and sober and doing awesome now. She has a little boy Daniel who is 2. Very sweet little one. Spending time with them at Christmas and Thanksgiving was a big treat. I mentioned it earlier but I have been able to get on with Salem Keizer schools as a Substitute aid. I have only subbed at the kids school but I really enjoy it and would love for it to turn into something more permanent. I have also learned some things about myself. I really struggle with saying no. Not to my children. I feel like I say it to often to them. But to others. Can you do this today? Of course I can. So that is something I am really working on. Something else I have been reminded of. I like the idea of a dog. We have a dog and she is great. She is outside and pretty good with life. However, she has nipped at a few people this year and that stresses me out. I love being the place where kids come to play. I just never want it to be a scary place for kids. Jim and I also thought we might like a small dog some day. Well, we have been dog sitting for a family and this small dog thing isn't us either. He follows me EVERYWHERE!! Driving me crazy. He yaps at everything and chases my sweet kitty. Both our kids are sick of him jumping on them and trying to lick them. It doesn't help that they are sick and just want to be left alone. I actually did something I have never done before. I backed out of my commitment. I mean sure we have canceled things before but never in the middle of doing it walked away. I called the family yesterday and asked if there was possibly anyone else to watch him. With the kids sick and him yapping. It was just time to be done. So, he goes to his grandmas house this morning. I am so ready. I will get to sleep with out him right beside me and let my kids just cuddle with their cat and not have him chasing the cat. They can just focus on rest and getting better. So, in looking at this new year. It is going to be a good one. Excited to see how it turns out. I just hope we do it healthy!