Twenty-twelve

 2011 definitely put a new stamp on my life.  It was a year of giving, change, hardship, trial, joy, faith, healing, victory and perseverance.  2011 may be the year that I look back on as the catalyst for who I will be for the rest of my life.  The spark that lit the flame, possibly.  The year that I decide that just being is not enough...that one person can make a difference, and that with God all things are truly possible.  I am so excited for what 2012 will bring.  The trials, the tears, the pain, the joy and the smiles.  It only grows who I am and who I was designed to be.  To be an example to my kids, my spouse, my family and my peers.  To be light in the darkness and love all around.  To grow in giving and think less about my own needs and desires. 

I can hardly wait.  

I had 1500 miles of drive time over three days to think about resolutions, but I don't have any for this year.  What I do have is an open mind, open heart and an eagerness to be the best I can be in 2012.  The person God is leading me to be.  

My boys had the best time ever in Indiana over Christmas.  We only stayed a day, but it was so wonderful to see my grandparents, siblings and parents.  We rode the quads, took a hike in the pasture that leads to a beautiful creek where we collected geod's, and took wagon rides behind the tractor.  It was tops in my book.  Jude and Rhett played until they fell over with sleepiness.  It brought pure joy to my heart to see my kids experiencing the kind of fun I had there when I was their age.  Pure joy.  Here are a few pics from our adventure. 

 First quad ride with dad

 Grand-dad was giving out tractor rides.

 Sweetness

 Waiting for dad to get up the hill.  I have pics of me at Jude's age on this same 4-wheeler!  I turned it over on my grandpa and I when I jerked the bars going uphill.  I also ran this same quad into a bushel of poison ivy when I was 4 and had to be scrubbed down in the bath.  Yes, Rhett is wearing socks for mittens.

 Grandma Wessel 

Rhett is not amused, but mom is having too much fun!  

We spent 2 nights in Indy and then ventured on to my dad's in Missouri.  That is where we got to wake up to this view...

Oh, and it wouldn't be a road-trip with the Martins if someone didn't throw up.  Rhett did the honors about 30 minutes outside of my dad's and sat completely still for the remainder of the ride with his hands in the 'freeze' position.  Jude followed it up by vomiting at a wedding on New Years Eve, right when we walked through the door of course (we make grand entrances).  Thankfully we were in our home, in private, when it came around to me.  Nasty little bug!  

I was so proud of my sweet little boys on their travel attitudes.  They did wonderfully as usual, and are getting quite accustomed to these long trips. 

Happy New Year!  What an amazing year it will be!