Highlights and Lowlights

I can't fully move myself in to the year 2011 without some closure to 2010. And also because I can't seem to come out of the Christmas coma. Really, I've been eating chocolate all day, every day and have multiple projects starring me in the face BEGGING me to give them some attention. Putting one foot in front of the other just makes me tired so I just sit right back down. At this rate, I'll be lucky to get my Christmas tree taken down in time for Easter.

HIGHLIGHTS: Shane and I were looking back at the year and commented to each other about how 2010 was a year full of blessings for our family. Here are just a few of them.

• Shane turned 30. We had a one night getaway in downtown Boise. We were kept up all night long due to a faulty fire alarm at the hotel. Besides that, it was awesome!
• Year one at The Amalgamated Sugar Factory was completed. They are a great company and are treating us well.
• We were able to take our little family on a plane to spend some time with our Mississippi family. Spending a week with Tom and Annette in the mission home was something we will always remember. I don't feel like I can even begin to tell you how blessed we are because of their service. As a family, we have been stregenthed and our testimonies have grown. They are now at their half-way mark.
• I had a year of risk-taking in the home improvement department. Taking black paint to your kitchen cabinets seems crazy! It was crazy. I learned a lot from that little project. And let me just say...they look awesome!!! So awesome, in fact, that I didn't stop there. All the remaining cabinets in our house also got a face-lift and are equal in awesomeness.
• Most of my spring, summer, and fall were spent garage-saling and craigslisting and boy did it pay off!
• Shane and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. I think it was our best anniversary celebration yet. Shane surprised me with a weekend trip to a cabin in McCall. That trip was just what we needed. I think this weekend will remain a top favorite for a long, long time.
• Carson is potty trained. Not poop trained, but I'm still happy that the potty part is taken care of.
• IN 2010, SHANE PASSED THE FREAKING CPA EXAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You better believe we framed his certificate and proudly hung it in his office. Shane R. Tucker, Certified Public Accountant. Music to my ears.
• Shane and I attended our first Broadway Show together...LION KING.
• My babies turned 3! I'm still feeling awful proud of myself for keeping them both alive for another year. So far, age 3 is treating us well. Just when I think they can't get any cuter, they do.
• This year, more specifically, in the last 3 months, we have been reminded of the power and love of family. The gratitude that we feel towards our loved ones is immense. Our hearts are deeply touched and the blessings we have received through them are many. We know that the Lords often blesses us through other people. That has certainly been the case.

LOWLIGHTS:

• Carson still waits and poops in his diaper, before or after sleep time. He's gone in the potty a number of times but he's just not consistent. Super frustrating. It's like I'm 1/2 way done but not.
• Cade still isn't potty (or poop) trained. When you ask him to wear undies and go on the big boy potty, he politely replies, "Ummm...no fanks." I don't see the end in sight and feel like I'll be potty training for the rest of my life, at least until their future wives can take over! :)
• Getting this year's value assessment on our home was, well, depressing. Sad day for us. I love our home, but thinking about being upside down in it makes the love fade! We'll be fine and it's not like I'm eager to leave. It's just small...tight family quarters. I'm grateful for our home, I just wish it's value would stop plummeting. Is that too much to ask???

Starting fresh is always exciting (even though I have yet to really start...remember...Christmas coma and chocolate). Even still, I am looking forward to the coming year, come what may.