Changes in a Year...

Can you believe that we have already ushered in 2009? Wow, how does time pass so quickly!! Do you remember what you were like last year at this time? Or what your children were like a year ago?

This year has brought many changes with my children. My oldest, Katie Beth, has went from being barely a kindergartener to very much a first grader. And ladies, let me tell you there is a difference! She has an expressive opinion about almost everything, she is more aware of herself, how she looks, what she wears. She cracks me up, after getting dressed the other day, she asked me if her outfit looked ‘fashionable like a teenager!’ I giggled, I guess that's the only down side of having "fun cool teenage babysitters", Katie Beth thinks she's one of them!

In the last year, Allison, (my 2yr old), has blossomed! Her little personality is just so extreme. She is either really really really happy or not. . . Each of these offers it’s own cautions; when she is really really happy – she’s a bundle of energy and jabbers a mile a minute, she's full of hugs and love… but when she’s really really not happy – she’s on the floor screaming inconsolably without any ability to rationalize or find out what’s wrong. It’s at these times that it is important to recognize her very distinct habits, she likes a certain seat in the car, must close the syrup lid herself, always wants to be first going out the door, likes to turn light off herself, must have her blue blanket in sight at all times, if any of these things go wrong – bam, it’s all over!

And finally, there’s Jackson, (my other 2 yr old), he’s such a little trooper! This year has found him once again at the doctor, hospital, or therapy, more times then his sisters combined….But amazingly, he just goes with the flow! He is growing and maturing so beautifully! He so different then his sisters – the way he plays, the way he loves, the way he interacts. . . he’s just such a little boy! Throwing balls and crashing cars, then sneaking in a hug for mommy - - - just makes my heart smile! I've always been told that there's 'something' about a little boy and his mom, I am learning what that 'something' is! It's indescribable!

In less than one year, our children go from embryos to babies, from newborn to toddlers, from toddlers to preschoolers, etc.. . . It’s easy to recognize how they’ve changed and grown, but how easy is it to recognize how we’ve grown? As a mother, wife, or friend how have we changed this year? Are these changes for the better? Or for the worse?

This year, I want to be better then I was last January – and not as good as I will be next. I want to be able to look at myself in one year and easily recognize a difference in me. Therefore, this year, I will cling to the promise written in 2 Corinthians “5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” . . . I pray that this year, all ‘old things’ will become new and better then ever for you too!