Things I Learned in 2011

Oh what a year this has been--a year of emotions and personal growth. I think this year has made me a more patient person, maybe even a better person. Maybe just a little? Whatever the case, I have learned a lot about myself and life in general.

• I learned how very different our lives would likely be had we not known prematurity. Watching a little person develop typically continues to highlight how very different our lives are from other families.
• I am learning that different is okay.
• I learned that always feeling like I am forced to take the hard route through what seems like every situation is not necessarily a bad thing. It is those tough times and situations which have made me the person I am today.
• I learned that I need to listen to my gut. It tends to be spot on, and when I don't listen, I suffer. Oh how I suffer.
• I learned that I am not as strong as I used to think I was. And still...
• I learned that I am so much stronger than I give myself credit.
• I learned that you can get more help with sugary sweetness; however, I can also be the world's biggest bitch at times, especially when it comes to making something happen for my kids. I am also probably the world's biggest sap if you have gone out of your way to help my family. 
• I learned that taking leaps of faith, whether that be through allowing someone to help, or going on an adventure by myself (BlogHer!), or just through trusting that things can and WILL work out, is a very good thing for me to do.
• I learned that I truly do enjoy all of the madness of parenting--yes, even the uncertainty--and that the little people I created are simply amazing!
• I learned that having three awesome kids doesn't stop the desire for wanting more...
• I learned that I am a worrier at heart. If there is nothing obvious to worry about, I will usually manage to find something anyway.
• I learned that worrying doesn't really help because 99% of what I worry about never happens.

To all of you who have continued to follow on my journey, thank you for all of your support, good wishes, and love. I need you to know that I have treasured each comment you've left. Your words have lifted me during some dark times. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

May 2012 be a year full of wonderful memories and happiness for us all.

**Thanks to Kristin and St. Elsewhere for giving me this idea. There I go borrowing again...