It's funny how life works. Well, at least my life seems oddly humorous to me. My favorite number happens to be 10. "What does that have to do with anything?" you ask. It just so happens that 2010 was one of the best years of my life. I celebrated my 10 year anniversary with the greatest guy on the planet. I finally felt at home in my church and community. I had the best vacation ever with my kids in MT. I got to hang out with friends and family frequently. It was sheer bliss. Then came 2011. I really struggled last year. And you know what the crazy part is? I had 2 surgeries in 2010 and great health in 2011. My little sister got married to her tall, dark, and handsome pseudo foreigner in 2011 and I got to dance the night away with our families. So why did I struggle? There are a few reasons. 1) I forgot to enjoy the present. Due to the big move, I kept waiting to be happy till things were "normal" and operated in a manic-stressed-out fashion for almost an entire year. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy anything last year because I truly did but this gets into #2 which is: If I start focusing on the negative, I seem to forget all of the positive, both past, present, and future. To anyone who had to suffer through one of my downward spirals, I pity you. And finally 3) Events don't determine whether you have a good or bad year. You do.
So, on that note, I have decided to reform my memory. 2011 was a great year :) I got to dance with my sisters and mom. My husband can now do the Argentine Tango with me (he still dances like a rigid Scandinavian but dancing is dancing, right?). Another nephew was born with heart-meltingly cute cheeks. I got to spend so much time with wonderful friends from Spring Creek (you know who you are and yes, you should get a warm, bubbly feeling in your chest knowing that you helped me stay sane and smiley last year). My little girl went off to preschool where every day was "the best day ever!". I got to ski in the half-pipe with my son. Even though we were both first-timers, I doubt anyone could have done better or felt happier than we did that day :) I got to watch as my precious son was baptized by his father with all our family in attendance. I got to coach two awesome soccer teams that gave their all and made me proud. I was able to enjoy and record the wonderful chatter/banter of yet another fantastic Lee/Neuffer Thanksgiving. I got to take 2 romantic getaways with my husband! One to go skiing and the other to house hunt in AK. I have learned a ton about house-selling, house-buying, and coordinating a cross-country move. Did I mention I can reliably paint now? Well, houses and big stuff that is, not complicated, multicolored works of art or anything. Yet. And to top it all off, I got to enjoy my first White Christmas ever (at least in my memory, and to qualify as a "White Christmas" very strict requirements must be met). I am truly thankful for all the joy and blessings from 2011.
And now it is 2012! Dan is predicting that this will be our best year ever as his favorite number is 12. Although his New Years fortune cookie was disappointing ("Some fortune cookies contain no fortune."...Seriously??) things are starting off well. We live better than kings :) They didn't even have indoor plumbing to freeze, light bulbs to blow out, or cars to be banged up out on the ocean ;) And have I mentioned that Alaska is GORGEOUS!! It is. It looks like we live in a national park. There are stunning mountains with glaciers pouring out of them, big rivers with beautiful blue water cascading over their own ice dams, perfectly charming little old farms at the edge of pristine snowy meadows that back up to forests full of birch, willow, cottonwood, spruce, and fir. Snow completely blankets everything. All the evergreens are bowing under their snowy load and each and every little twig and branch is highlighted by many inches of snow. The sunsets are amazing. They last for nearly an hour while the whole world turns pink and my little daughter just smiles and nods as if she knew that it was meant just for her. After all, who doesn't love pink! The wildlife is equally invigorating. Hares, foxes (and yes, it is foxes, not fox or foxen, I checked), moose, bald eagles, chickadees (I think, I need to get a guide book) and disturbingly large and undaunted ravens abound. Contrary to what I thought before, moose are actually quite graceful and fast. We haven't had any bad run-ins, thank heavens, but the moose have certainly made our little jaunts to and from the bus stop more exciting.
"And how is the skiing, sledding, etc...?" You ask. That is for the next post. And also cause I need to wrap this one up. It's -18 outside and Lena and I need more hot cocoa.
So, on that note, I have decided to reform my memory. 2011 was a great year :) I got to dance with my sisters and mom. My husband can now do the Argentine Tango with me (he still dances like a rigid Scandinavian but dancing is dancing, right?). Another nephew was born with heart-meltingly cute cheeks. I got to spend so much time with wonderful friends from Spring Creek (you know who you are and yes, you should get a warm, bubbly feeling in your chest knowing that you helped me stay sane and smiley last year). My little girl went off to preschool where every day was "the best day ever!". I got to ski in the half-pipe with my son. Even though we were both first-timers, I doubt anyone could have done better or felt happier than we did that day :) I got to watch as my precious son was baptized by his father with all our family in attendance. I got to coach two awesome soccer teams that gave their all and made me proud. I was able to enjoy and record the wonderful chatter/banter of yet another fantastic Lee/Neuffer Thanksgiving. I got to take 2 romantic getaways with my husband! One to go skiing and the other to house hunt in AK. I have learned a ton about house-selling, house-buying, and coordinating a cross-country move. Did I mention I can reliably paint now? Well, houses and big stuff that is, not complicated, multicolored works of art or anything. Yet. And to top it all off, I got to enjoy my first White Christmas ever (at least in my memory, and to qualify as a "White Christmas" very strict requirements must be met). I am truly thankful for all the joy and blessings from 2011.
And now it is 2012! Dan is predicting that this will be our best year ever as his favorite number is 12. Although his New Years fortune cookie was disappointing ("Some fortune cookies contain no fortune."...Seriously??) things are starting off well. We live better than kings :) They didn't even have indoor plumbing to freeze, light bulbs to blow out, or cars to be banged up out on the ocean ;) And have I mentioned that Alaska is GORGEOUS!! It is. It looks like we live in a national park. There are stunning mountains with glaciers pouring out of them, big rivers with beautiful blue water cascading over their own ice dams, perfectly charming little old farms at the edge of pristine snowy meadows that back up to forests full of birch, willow, cottonwood, spruce, and fir. Snow completely blankets everything. All the evergreens are bowing under their snowy load and each and every little twig and branch is highlighted by many inches of snow. The sunsets are amazing. They last for nearly an hour while the whole world turns pink and my little daughter just smiles and nods as if she knew that it was meant just for her. After all, who doesn't love pink! The wildlife is equally invigorating. Hares, foxes (and yes, it is foxes, not fox or foxen, I checked), moose, bald eagles, chickadees (I think, I need to get a guide book) and disturbingly large and undaunted ravens abound. Contrary to what I thought before, moose are actually quite graceful and fast. We haven't had any bad run-ins, thank heavens, but the moose have certainly made our little jaunts to and from the bus stop more exciting.
"And how is the skiing, sledding, etc...?" You ask. That is for the next post. And also cause I need to wrap this one up. It's -18 outside and Lena and I need more hot cocoa.
Welcome 2012! We are ready and willing for whatever you have in store.
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